A 68-year-old financial company bearer was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, on Friday afternoon after withdrawing $10 million from a bank.
The deceased has been identified as Lawrence Kessna, otherwise called “Larry,” who worked as a bearer for a financial institution in the Corporate Area. Police reported that the cash involved in the incident was later recovered and handed over to law enforcement personnel.
Investigators say the deadly incident unfolded about 1:22 p.m. on May 15 after Kessna visited Scotiabank along Half-Way Tree Road to cash a cheque valued at $10 million on behalf of his company. The money was reportedly intended for distribution to customers at several branch locations.
Shortly after leaving the financial institution, Kessna was reportedly confronted by an armed man who attempted to seize a grey knapsack containing the cash. During a struggle over the bag, the attacker opened fire, hitting Kessna in the upper body.
The gunman then escaped the scene on a motorcycle that was reportedly waiting nearby.
Police officers transported Kessna to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The grey knapsack containing the money was turned over to the police at the medical facility.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Michael Phipps, head of Area 4, urged members of the public and businesses carrying out large financial transactions to seek police assistance when transporting cash.
ACP Phipps also indicated that law enforcement will increase police presence around financial institutions across the Corporate Area as investigations continue.
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