ST JAMES, Jamaica — An incomplete file is said to be impeding the progress of the case against a man charged in connection with a shooting incident in 2022 that claimed the lives of two people, including a five-year-old boy, in John’s Hall, St James.

The accused, Obrian Hunter, also known as “Burch”, was charged with the murder of five-year-old Tavoy Cummings of Grange Hill, Westmoreland, and 26-year-old Semiu ‘Isis’ Shaw of John’s Hall. He is also charged with wounding with intent and shooting with intent in relation to the father of the child being injured.

When the matter came before the St James Circuit Court on Wednesday, it was disclosed that the forensic certificate, which was missing from the case file, has been assigned for completion and that time has been requested for that to be done.

The court also heard about a pending report from the Communication Forensics and Cyber-Crime Division regarding a separate case involving Hunter, in which he is charged with possession of identity information.

Additionally, the investigating officer, who had provided both updates, was absent from court due to having been in an accident prior to Wednesday’s hearing.

High Court Justice Bertram Morrison scheduled both matters for mention on September 25 and remanded Hunter until that date.

According to the allegations, on November 20, 2022, at about 2:00 pm, four persons were boarding a motor vehicle while leaving from a funeral in the John’s Hall area when they were attacked by armed men, who opened gunfire hitting them.

When the shooting subsided, young Tavoy, Shaw, and another man, Tavoy’s father, were seen suffering from gunshot wounds. All three were taken to the hospital where Tavoy and Shaw were pronounced dead and the child’s father was treated.

Hunter was apprehended on December 25, 2022, following investigations by law enforcement officials. He was indicted three days later.