Jerk vendor allegedly killed over $100

Popular jerk chicken vendor Rodroy 'Jerky' Powell was allegedly chopped to death on Wednesday in a dispute with a taxi operator over $100.

Taxi operator, Shadwayne 'Waynie' Ellis, 36, of Geneva district, Grange Hill, in Westmoreland, is now on the run and is being sought by the police. Powell, 54, who is of a Farm Pen address in Llandillo, Savanna-la-Mar, was described as a master at preparing delicious jerk chicken by persons who knew him well. He reportedly had several loyal customers from his Negril base, who would wait around for their street-side meal each afternoon.

"Jerky was a good man, and Jah know seh it is sad dat him dead over $100 when him is a man who give weh more than $100 worth a chicken every day," a taxi operator, who plies the Negril to Savanna-la-Mar route, told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Yu se dis word dat dem call 'diss' (disrespect), dem fe ban it inna Jamaica because it is what is causing all de problems, especially fe de man dem with de big ego."

According to reports, Powell travelled in the taxi, which was being operated by Ellis, from Savanna-la-Mar to Negril. When he handed Ellis his fare after reaching the bus park, Ellis allegedly refused to give back $100 in change, and an argument developed. During the heated exchange, Powell reportedly pulled out the key from the ignition of Ellis' car. Ellis reportedly rushed to his car trunk, from which he pulled out a machete, and used it to inflict chop wounds to Powell's face and neck. Ellis then reportedly dropped the machete and fled the scene on foot. Officers from the nearby Negril Police Station, who were alerted by the commotion, rushed to the location and assisted Powell to the Negril Fire Station, where a paramedics team worked feverishly to stabilise him. He was subsequently transported to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Westmoreland police have issued a statement, urging Ellis to turn himself in. Other taxi operators in Negril are also urging him to surrender so that he can have his day in court.