KINGSTON, Jamaica – Fitz Bailey, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the crime portfolio, announced on Thursday that two men have been charged in connection with the double-murder and the burning of 11 houses on Walkers Avenue in Gregory Park in Portmore, St Catherine on August 12.

Charged are Nigel McLarty, a 24-year-old mechanic of Christian Pen in Gregory Park, and Odane Fowler, 21, of a Portmore Villa, Gregory Park address.

Fowler was charged with two counts of murder, ten counts of arson, possession of prohibited weapons, unauthorised possession of ammunition and being part of a criminal organisation. The exact charges laid against McLarty were not made clear.

The incident occurred about 3:50 am when criminals set fire to homes at 44 Walkers Avenue. During this incident, 28-year-old Raneel Haughton, otherwise called ‘Rum Punch’, was shot and killed.

Seventy-two-year-old Naomi Gocul, who was in one of the 11 houses, died at hospital after being severely burned in the fire.

READ: Cabbie shot dead, several homes firebombed in Gregory Park

DSP Bailey said that over the past five months, there have been a number of violent crimes in Gregory Park, including seven murders, four shootings and two incidents of arson.

“Most of the murders reported in the Gregory Park area have been attributed to ongoing intra and inter-gang conflicts. The major areas of concern are Banga Gully, Mexico, Christian Pen, Train Line, Walkers Avenue and Watson Grove,” he said.

– Jason Cross