ST JAMES, Jamaica – A 23-year-old man is facing multiple charges including murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition and using a firearm to commit a felony following the killing of a taxi operator in Copperwood, St James, on Friday, September 1.

Charged is 23-year-old Alanzo Vincent, a resident of Rose Heights in the parish.

According to police reports, the deceased, identified as Maurice Anthony McLaughlin, was driving his grey 2013 Toyota Voxy motorcar along the Cambridge main road, when Vincent, a passenger in the vehicle, reportedly pulled out a handgun and opened fire hitting him in the head.

Following the shooting, Vincent allegedly pushed McLaughlin from the vehicle onto the roadway and drove away in the direction of Retrieve, Cambridge. Passersby subsequently found McLaughlin with a gunshot wound and assisted him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

McLaughlin’s vehicle was reportedly spotted sometime after by concerned citizens in the Roehampton area and the police were alerted. In an attempt to escape, Vincent allegedly crashed the vehicle into a ditch off the roadway. He fled the vehicle, leaving behind one .40 Ruger pistol with a magazine containing four .40 cartridges.

He was subsequently apprehended by police in the area.

He was formally charged on Wednesday, September 6, following an interview session in the presence of his attorney.