ST MARY, Jamaica — An early morning dispute between a father and his son, left the older man dead and his son in custody.

Dead is 74-year-old Clovis Forth, a taxi operator who lived in the Port Maria housing scheme.

According to the police, Forth returned home early Saturday morning and saw his son, whose name is being withheld pending charges, on the veranda watching movies on his phone. An argument developed between them during which the younger man threw a brick at his father’s car. They tussled and then the son allegedly went to the kitchen and got a knife that he used to stab his father in his upper shoulder.

Forth collapsed and his son sought assistance from neighbours in getting him to the Port Maria Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His son was then taken into custody.

“’He’s in custody; he’s not yet been charged,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Joseph Foster, who is Commander for Zone Four of the St Mary Police Division, told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“’I’m in shock as both men are known to me over the years. Clovis would come to me at various times where there were domestic matters involving his son. It’s just sad that this had to happen,” he added.

While it is unclear what led to Saturday morning’s dispute, others have confirmed DSP Foster’s statement that father and son have had a stormy relationship over the years. According to OBSERVER ONLINE sources, Forth took his son to court on a previous occasion but later opted not to proceed with the case in favour of mediation.

Those who knew Clovis Forth said he was popular and good natured. He plied routes in the Ocho Rios area.

The Port Maria CIB is investigating.