KINGSTON, Jamaica — Crime Stop is offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of those involved in the 2017 murder of a Hindu priest in Mandeville.

The deceased is identified as Lyle Nathan-Sharma otherwise called Pandit of MonteCello Park in Mandeville.

Sharma, who was 69 years old at the time of his death, was also a contractor.

According to Crime Stop, Sharma was attacked by a machete-wielding man sometime in the early hours of January 26 while sleeping.

Another occupant of the house who was woken up by sounds of banging rushed to see what was happening and found the machete-wielding man standing over Sharma.

Crime Stop said that on seeing the occupant the man rushed past him chopping at him with the machete.

The occupant is said to have put up his hands to protect himself and received a chop wound to one hand.

The attacker managed to make good on his escape after being initially followed by the occupant who stopped and went back to check on Sharma.

They were both taken to hospital where Sharma died while undergoing treatment and the occupant treated and released.

The reward offer expires on February 28, 2020.