Two gunned down in car wash

St James recorded the first double murder of 2023 following the shooting death of two men, and the shooting and wounding of another, at a car wash and bar in Tucker community, on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as 29-year-old David Elliott, otherwise called 'Pogga', and 30-year-old Marlon Medlyey, both labourers of 13 Street in Tucker. A 19-year-old man was shot and injured, while the owner of the establishment managed to escape unhurt.

Reports are that about 2:15 p.m., Elliot, Medlyey, the teenager and the owner were at the Gully Side Bar and Car Wash when a motor vehicle drove to the area and two men alighted and entered the establishment. They brandished handguns and opened gunfire, spraying the surrounding with bullets, while hitting all three men. The gunmen then escaped in the car, while residents alerted the police.

On the arrival of the lawmen, the men were discovered suffering from gunshot wounds and were rushed to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where Elliot and Medlyey were pronounced dead. The other man, who received a gunshot wound to his foot, was treated and admitted in serious but stable condition.

"The man dem did a shoot gunshot like a rain," one eyewitness told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Mi did stand up cross the road when mi see the man dem drive up. Next minute a pure gunshot mi hear a fire and everybody start run fi them life." The alleged eyewitness said he has only heard that much gunfire in the movies.

"Until now mi still shock fi know that a only two man dead after the amount a gunshot what mi hear," he added.

When contacted, a police source said no strong lead or motive had been ascertained. The police have indicated that this is the first double murder to be recorded in St James for 2023. The parish has recorded nine murders.