UPDATE: Another person of interest listed in St James double murder
ST JAMES, Jamaica – Another man has been listed as a person of interest in the investigations of two double murders that rocked St James this week, according to senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vernon Ellis.
On Monday afternoon, two men were shot and killed in the vicinity of Crawford Street in Mount Salem. Another man was injured during the daring daylight attack. Two days later, gunmen struck again in the rural community of Canaan, Adelphi.
“The investigative teams are working assiduously to put these cases together,” SSP Ellis said.
“The cases have high solvability factors. The operational teams that are out there, theyare relentlessly pursuing those persons of interest and where there is gangconflict, ensuring that we hold the opposing sides at bay,” he added.
SSP Ellis told the OBSERVER ONLINE that the police have identified three persons of interest and are asking them to turn themselves in at the Freeport Police Station today.
“Tevin Lawson, also called ‘Bruk Han’ is a person of interest in the double murder that took place on Crawford Street on Monday of this week. Lester Gallimore, also called ‘Zaddo’ is a person of interest in the double murder that took place in Canaan, Adelphi yesterday morning,” the senior cop said.
READ: Two listed as persons of interest in St James
He continued, “Jadaine Henry of Canaan, you are a person of interest in the double murder that took place in Canaan District. You are to turn yourself in to the police at Freeport by 12 midday on the 11th of May, 2023.”
SSP Ellis further told the OBSERVER ONLINE that while there has been a 40 per cent reduction in murder in the parish, the St James Police are pushing to create a safer environment for citizens.
“The operation teams are pushing. In 72 hours we recovered three illegal firearms, one of which resulted in a fatal confrontation. Even though we are seeing a 40 per cent reduction across the board for major crimes, we are still not satisfied with the incidents of murders,” he said.
“We have seen 34 less persons being killed…[and] 31 less persons being shot since the start of the year, however, we want to see the incidents of both murders and shootings continue to go down in the direction that it is going,” the senior cop added.
He pointed out that the support of citizens is vital in helping to solve these investigations.
“We have a balanced approach going forward. We are asking the citizens who have useful information to continue to support the police department in putting these cases together. And we will continue to pursue those who are hell-bent on creating that type of mayhem in the society,” SSP Ellis told the OBSERVER ONLINE.