Suspect identified in Bull Bay triple murder

Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson said that the police have identified a man in connection with the triple murder that has rocked residents in Bull Bay, St Andrew, on the weekend. Anderson, who was also speaking at a digital press conference on Tuesday, disclosed that the man is currently out on bail for a separate charge.

Earl Jackson, his nephew Orville Hermit, and Kevon Bonfield were killed by gunmen along a roadway in the Pleasant View community on Sunday. The triple murder and a host of other fatal shootings in recent months have marred progress made by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), which reported a six per cent reduction in murders earlier in the year.

Yesterday, Anderson, in condemning the killings, reported that murders have increased by 6.3 per cent with 76 per cent of them resulting from gang conflicts. He, however, added that the police will strengthen their approach with an aim to significantly reduce the homicide rate by the end of June.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey says that a lack of DNA evidence is preventing investigators from identifying the skeletal remains that were found in Morant Bay, St Thomas, in May. However, Bailey, who heads the crime and security portfolio in the JCF, told THE STAR that the police are not giving up on their quest to identify the remains.

"I think we are going to be faced with a challenge because there is no DNA to compare the remains with, but the investigation is ongoing. I don't think I can go any further in terms of making any statements but it is ongoing," said Bailey, who was also speaking at the press conference.

On May 7, workers employed to the St Thomas Municipal Corporation discovered the remains while conducting a demolition exercise on the abandoned Loyal James Lodge building.

The exercise was quickly halted following the first discovery about 9 a.m. The demolition was cleared to resume after a police probe but was halted a second time when another box containing a skull and few bones were found. The St Thomas police confirmed that seven skulls were found during a period of two days.