CLARKS TOWN, Trelawny — The ambush and fatal shooting of 48 year-old farmer, Sydney “Stumpy” Palmer, shattered the Hyde District community in this usually peaceful cane farming area Monday evening.

The police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the killing and have not officially established a motive; but a police source said Palmer was a witness in an ongoing case.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), citizens heard explosions along the Hyde main road at about 9:20 pm Monday and called the police. When the cops arrived, they found Palmer’s body lying on the embankment. His body, which had what appeared to be gunshot wounds, was removed to the Falmouth Hospital where Palmer was pronounced dead.

According to Palmer’s relatives, who described him as a loving and caring person, hoodlums from neighbouring districts may have been responsible for the farmer’s slaying.

One family member, who opted not to be identified, told the Observer that Palmer notified them of a threat that was made on his life by men who claimed he was “shielding ” another man from them. The relative said Palmer claimed to have reported the death threat to the Clarks Town police; however a lawman at the station denied any knowledge of the report.

Palmer’s death brings to 10 the number of murders committed in the parish so far this year, as compared to 11 during the corresponding period last year.