Cops hunt unlicensed guard after shooting

A man was rushed to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St James, after being shot in the chest by an unofficial security guard following an argument allegedly over a woman.

The Freeport police have not released the identity of the guard, who is reportedly on the run. Reports are that shortly after 9 a.m. last Friday, the victim, who is employed to a farm store, got involved in a dispute with the security guard, allegedly over a female. It is further reported that the dispute developed into a physical confrontation, after which the guard brandished a handgun and shot the man in the region of his chest. The guard reportedly fled the location. The wounded man was rushed to hospital where he was treated and admitted in critical condition.

"Mi boss mi get fi understand seh dem a cuss over a girl, and next thing wi know 'Sicky' (the security guard) pull a gun, and shot the youth," another employee told THE STAR. "Mi neva even si wen Sicky run outa di store because from the shot dem start fire, mi an the rest a workers dem haffe run fi cover."

One police source told THE STAR that investigators have not yet taken the shooter into custody and also that the firearm used to commit the offence is believed to be illegal.

"Investigators are still in search of the security [guard] who we have learnt was recently hired at the location," the officer stated. "We are also carrying out a series of investigations into the weapon used in the shooting and so far we have reasons to believe that it was an illegal firearm."

The officer said that based on investigations, it is believed that the guard is neither formally employed to a security company nor is he a licensed firearm holder.