Waterford double murder, Jonestown police shooting and US gun case lead Jamaica crime roundup

Police are probing several major crime and public-safety matters, including a double murder in Waterford, St. Catherine, a fatal crash in St. Ann, a disputed police shooting in Jonestown, and a US gun-trafficking case involving a Jamaican American man.

Detectives from the Major Investigation Division are investigating Monday night’s killing of 26-year-old technician Antoine Reid, also known as Tony and Gong, and 26-year-old Saeed Roach, otherwise called Said, an employee of Facey Commodity. Both men were from Falmouth East in Waterford. Two other persons, including a 17-year-old student, were injured after a gunman reportedly stepped from a grey motor car and opened fire about 10:30 p.m. at Logwood Road and Dias Road. Waterford councillor Dr. Fenley Douglas said it was the community’s first violent incident in more than a year.

In St. Ann, 22-year-old Jamar Jarrett and 25-year-old Sanjay Malcolm, both of Discovery Bay, died after a Suzuki Swift and a Toyota Coaster bus collided near Dolphin Cove on the Dunn’s River main road in Ocho Rios about 8:30 p.m. Monday. Police said the Swift was travelling west when it failed to keep left. Another passenger was admitted in serious condition, while the bus driver was also treated.

Assistant Commissioner Owen Chambers said Jamaica Eye cameras have helped police in Spanish Town, where major crime reportedly fell by 10 per cent between January 1 and May 30 compared with the same period in 2025. He said CCTV operators have helped monitor suspicious activity, including motor-vehicle theft around the town centre.

US prosecutors, meanwhile, allege 48-year-old Andre Colin Laylor, also called Plug Dru, led a firearms-trafficking operation linked to more than 300 stolen guns. Laylor and several co-accused appeared in federal court on May 29. Authorities said guns were stolen during break-ins in northern Atlanta and shipped to destinations including Jamaica, New York, Connecticut, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Laylor was granted US$10,000 bail with conditions, including real-time tracking, surrender of travel documents, and restrictions on postal and shipping services.

In Kingston, relatives of 24-year-old Alexander Marsh, otherwise called Chukaku, rejected the police account of his fatal shooting in Jonestown on Sunday night and mounted roadblocks Monday. Police said Marsh pointed a submachine gun at officers, who returned fire. Superintendent Brian Henry urged residents to allow INDECOM and internal police investigators to complete their probes.

The FBI is also seeking Jamaican American Elaine Andujar Esco, 41, over an alleged US$34-million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. A reward of up to US$150,000 is being offered for information leading to her arrest and conviction.