Labourer charged with murder

Detectives assigned to the Westmoreland Police Division arrested and charged a man following the killing of 30-year-old Shantal Calder-Whittingham, otherwise called 'Pokie', of Brighton district, Little London, on August 12.

Charged is 23-year-old Odain Barron, otherwise called 'Bududup' or 'Indian', labourer of Coolie Town district, Paradise in the parish. Reports from the Savanna-la-Mar police are that about 3:30 p.m., Calder-Whittingham and her relatives were leaving home when four men, one of whom they had a dispute with, reportedly approached them. They allegedly opened gunfire, hitting them, and escaped. The police were summoned and, on their arrival, Calder-Whittingham and her relatives were seen lying in the roadway in a pool of blood. They were assisted to hospital where Calder-Whittingham was pronounced dead.

Barron was arrested during an operation in Westmoreland last Friday. He gave a caution statement to the police and was later charged with murder, shooting with intent, and unauthorised possession of a prohibited weapon. His court date is being arranged.