St. James Leads Jamaica Murder Count as Two Men Killed in Barrett Hall Police Operations

St. James is still carrying the country’s largest murder figure. Even with murders declining overall, the parish has logged 24 killings so far in 2026, a slight increase compared with the same period last year.

On Monday, police operations in Barrett Hall ended in two fatal shootings involving lawmen and men they said were armed.

Investigators report that around 1 p.m., members of the Area One Fugitive Apprehension Team went to the home of 29-year-old Owen Glendon Shaw, also known as "Nick" or "Shortman," of Wagon Wheel in Barrett Hall, St. James. The team was reportedly acting on intelligence and had a warrant. Police allege Shaw fired at them during a confrontation, and officers returned gunfire. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A firearm and ammunition were reportedly recovered.

In a separate operation in the same community, police say they were searching for a wanted man when they approached 51-year-old Boston Grubb, a shopkeeper from Wagon Wheel, Barrett Hall. Lawmen allege that during a search of his premises, Grubb took a firearm from a nearby box and pointed it at officers. Police say they took evasive action and fired. Grubb was shot, taken to hospital, and later pronounced dead. Another firearm and ammunition were reportedly seized.

The police say both incidents are under investigation.