5-y-o’s accused killer booked for court April 24

A St James man who was implicated in the shooting deaths of two people - including a five-year-old - while they were returning from a funeral on November 20, 2022, is to make his next appearance in the St James Circuit Court on April 24.

Obrian 'Burch' Hunter, a labourer of a John's Hall address, is charged with the murders of Tavoy Cummings of Grange Hill, Westmoreland, and 26-year-old Semiu 'Isis' Shaw of John's Hall. He is also charged with wounding with intent and shooting with intent.

When Hunter's matter was mentioned on Wednesday, the court was told that the prosecution had just received the ballistic report, and that the forensic report was still outstanding. It was also disclosed that Hunter has another matter before the court relating to the charge of possession of identity information. The police's Communication Forensics and CyberCrime Division report in relation to that case was also outstanding. High Court Justice Bertram Morrison set both matters for mention on April 24. He also remanded Hunter.

Allegations are that about 2 p.m. on the day in question, four persons were boarding a motor vehicle while departing from a funeral in the John's Hall area, when they were attacked by armed men who opened gunfire on them.

When the shooting subsided, little Tavoy, Shaw, and another man, Tavoy's father, were seen suffering from gunshot wounds. All three were transported to hospital, where Tavoy and Shaw were both pronounced dead and the child's father was treated.

Subsequent police investigations led to Hunter being arrested on December 25, 2022 and formally charged three days later.