Double killing rocks MoBay as parish records 50th murder

Two men were shot and killed by gunmen on Claude Clarke Avenue in Montego Bay, St James, on Thursday as the parish recorded its 50th murder since the start of the year.

The police have identified both victims as 34-year-old Kemar Halstead, of Hugar Lane in Norwood, St James, and 36-year-old Michael Anthony Hill of Old Harbour, St Catherine. Hill had been staying at a location in Retirement, St James, up to the time of his death.

Reports by the police are that on Thursday morning, Hill and close friend Halstead went to the downtown Montego Bay tax office, where they carried out transactions to register a motor vehicle.

The men then left the premises in a Toyota Corolla motor car and drove to the examination depot in Flankers.

On their way back downtown, a motor vehicle with several men with high-powered guns blocked their path.

The gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, shattering both front windows, and riddled the windscreen with bullets. Both occupants were killed on the spot.

Close to 60 spent shells were found.

St James is one of three western parishes under a state of emergency.

Hopeton Bucknor