A businessman was shot and killed and his licensed firearm stolen at Dermason Plaza, Independence City, Portmore yesterday.

According to police personnel the man, who up to press time was identified only as “Mr Scott”, went into Dermason Pastry Delight and Pizza Limited shortly after 4:00 pm, when he was pounced upon by two men, one of whom shot him. After Scott collapsed, the gunmen reportedly took his licensed firearm then escaped on foot. He was rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A source, who asked not to be identified, told the Observer that “Mr Scott” – who owned Fountain Wholesale Liquor also located in Dermason Plaza – allegedly had a loud altercation with persons the night before his death.

The source also told the Observer that everybody liked Scott.

“He was a good man, a nice man. He spoke well with everybody. He has been there for many, many years,” the source said. Deputy Mayor of Portmore Colin Fagan, who was also at the scene, expressed alarm at the rising crime rate within the Portmore community.

“People are concerned and people are fearful for their lives and their safety,” he told the Observer. He also stated that the Municipal Council had received word that extortion was being practised in the Independence City area, as well as other sections of Portmore, and theorised that this could have been the reason for yesterday’s attack.

Fagan also told the Observer that the Municipal Council had been getting word that men have been storing guns in some divisions in Portmore. “We are getting word on the ground that men are storing weapons in some divisions of Portmore for assault at given times,” Fagan said.