SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Shockwaves reverberated across the parish of Westmoreland on Friday following news of the suspected suicide of a well-known businessman of South Sea Park, Whithehouse, in the parish.

The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Craig Chong, who operated multiple hardware stores in the parish.

The incident reportedly took place around 11:15 pm on the Belmont main road in the parish on Thursday.

According to police reports, citizens heard a loud explosion followed by a ‘crashing sound’ and alerted the police. Upon the arrival of the lawmen, a 2017 white Ford Everest motor vehicle was seen off a section of the roadway in bushes.

Chong was later observed seated in the driver’s seat, dressed in a black merino, blue jeans pants and a pair of grey sneakers.

What appeared to be a gunshot wound to the right side of his head was also reportedly observed. His licensed firearm, a Walter 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine containing 16 9mm cartridges and an additional magazine loaded with 15 9mm cartridges, was handed over to the police by citizens.

Bluemar Hardware and Home Store — located at 50 Great George Street in Savanna-la-Mar

Chong was taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where he died whilst undergoing treatment.

According to the police, “based on observations made, there were no signs of a struggle, no items appeared to have been stolen, and the doors of the motor vehicle were all locked, hence foul play is not suspected at this time.”

Unconfirmed reports are that his business place was one of those earmarked to distribute building supplies to Hurricane Melissa victims, under Government’s ROOF initiative.

When Observer Online visited one of his business places — Bluemar Hardware and Home Store — located at 50 Great George Street in Savanna-la-Mar on Friday, it was closed. A note on the shutter cited “unforeseen circumstances” for the closure.

A handcart vegetable vendor who sells in front of the store, identifying himself as ‘One Spakle’, described Chong as a father figure.

“I feel a way. Mi feel it like say ah mi father. I’m telling you the truth. It is like he’s my father and I’m his son, that’s how I feel,” stated Spakle.

Vegetable vendor, One Spakle

He added that some workers came to the store on Friday morning but left after hearing the devastating news.

Spakle described Chong as a kind man who never turned away anyone in need.

“I’m telling you the truth, from above, God knows I’m not lying to you because deh man deh are real, deh man deh kind. Not like sey I come here and short and the boss makes you turn back. No, he gives you a bag of cement,” stated Spakle.

Spakle said he had been a customer of the hardware for years before becoming a vendor about three weeks ago in front of the store.

Spakle also recalled a recent dispute with the police over his vending location, which Chong helped to resolve.