Police are patiently but doggedly following several leads in the case of journalist Job Nelson’s murder.

Nelson was shot once in the left side of his chest on Spanish Town Road at the Bumper Hall traffic light near St Andrew Technical High School about 10:50 pm Tuesday. He managed to drive himself metres away to Collie Smith Drive where his car crashed into a utility pole. A passer-by rushed Nelson to hospital but he succumbed to the injury.

“We have been getting different stories so we are just exploring all of them, but nothing confirmed yet really,” Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, who is in charge of the Kingston West Police Division, told the Jamaica Observer.

“There are lots of stories making the rounds, so we just have to dig into it. We are getting the help and support of Major Investigations Division as well. We are not letting up,” Phipps said.

Nelson, who worked at a number of media houses in the past, was employed to The Gleaner at the time of his murder.

On Wednesday, Press Association of Jamaica President Milton Walker described the murder as a senseless act of violence.

At the same time, Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed sadness, noting that Nelson was a fellow alumnus of St Catherine High School.

“Job was not just a remarkable professional, but also a cherished member of our community. It is heartbreaking to hear that he lost his life in such a senseless act of violence,” the prime minister said in a statement.

“Job and I shared the halls of St Catherine High, which makes this loss feel even more personal. His contributions to journalism and his dedication to bringing the truth to light were commendable, and he will be sorely missed,” Holness added, and extended condolence to Nelson’s family, friends, and colleagues “during this incredibly difficult time”.

He also appealed to anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.

The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) also reacted to Nelson’s murder and described him as “a cherished member of the media community who went the extra mile in pursuit of truth”.

“His unwavering commitment to journalism and his courageous efforts have left an indelible mark on our nation. His dedication, diligence, and reliability were evident in his significant contributions across The Gleaner and Star publications, as well as various other media outlets over his 35 years of service,” the PNP said.

On Friday, the Media Association Jamaica (MAJ) described Nelson’s killing as “another brazen and senseless criminal attack on our citizens which has become commonplace in this country”.

The MAJ said Jamaica has lost a dedicated journalist whose passion was to educate and inform. It also noted that his murder has left a family grieving the loss of a loved one.

“We urge the authorities to swiftly investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of this terrible crime,” the MAJ said and called on the country’s leaders “to be more steadfast in devising and implementing adequate measures to restore peace in our communities”.

On Sunday, the latest police statistics available on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) website for the period January 1 to May 4, 2024 showed a 14 per cent drop in murders to 371 across the island’s 19 police divisions when compared to the same period last year, when there were 427 murders.

Six divisions reflected an increase in murders in the corresponding period: Trelawny recorded nine murders compared to five last year; St Ann, 25 murders, compared to 24 in 2023; Portland recorded five or two more than last year; St Elizabeth increased by six compared to eight murders last year; St Andrew Central increased by 9, from 14 murders; and St Andrew South increased by one murder, up from 32 in the same period last year.

Since the last figures were released by cops, killings have continued to rage — 10 by Observer count — including that of Nelson.

On Sunday, May 5 a music disc jockey was shot and killed inside a bar in Manchester.

A 27-year-old man was reportedly lured to the Studio One Boulevard area in St Andrew where he was shot dead on May 8.

On May 10, a 19-year-old music producer was shot dead at his house in St Ann.

Two brothers were shot and killed on May 11 as they played a game of dominoes at a shop in Burnt Savannah, Westmoreland.

A 39- year-old man was stoned to death allegedly by two people on May 12 in Westmoreland.

On May 13, a female student of Catholic College of Mandeville in Manchester was stabbed to death.

One man was shot dead at the corner of Union and King streets in Montego Bay, St James, on May 15.

On May 20, 2024 a 50-year-old woman was murdered in Commodore District in Linstead, St Catherine, and on May 22 another woman was shot dead and several others injured on Shortwood Road in St Andrew.