St. Mary arson arrest, St. Ann drowning and murder charges lead Jamaica news roundup

A 59-year-old woman is being held by police after a fire damaged two office buildings, a pickup, and a motorcart at the Soran Aggregate compound in Georgia, St. Mary, on Sunday afternoon. Police reports said the blaze started about 2 p.m. after a caretaker alleged the woman was behaving disruptively and refused to leave the property. He reportedly went to make a report to police and returned to see both buildings on fire. Police and firefighters later responded, and investigators arrested the woman.

Video commentary from the scene described heavy smoke, explosions, and frustration over attempts to reach emergency responders in the Annotto Bay area. The speaker said a vehicle was already burning and suggested some items might have been saved had firefighters arrived earlier.

In St. Ann, 50-year-old Orville Brown, also called Mona, of Golden Grove, is suspected to have drowned at Oasis Bay Beach on Saturday. Reports said Brown was swimming with a group of men between about 2:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. When most of the group left the water, they realised he was missing. A search followed, and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard was contacted. Brown’s body was found about 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

Police have also charged two men who were deported from St. Kitts and Nevis after a fatal shooting in Steer Town, St. Ann. Chevon Brown, 31, otherwise called Baller, a lifeguard, and 37-year-old Kemer Matthews, otherwise called BBE, are charged in connection with the February 8, 2023 killing of 20-year-old Kimani Letman. Police say armed men forced their way into a home about 2:30 a.m. and shot Letman and another man before escaping on foot. Letman died at hospital, while the second victim was treated and released. The accused were returned to Jamaica on Thursday, May 21, and charged with murder, wounding with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, and burglary. A court date is being arranged.

For Labor Day 2026, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness urged Jamaicans to use community service to advance hurricane preparedness and recovery, citing more than $67 billion committed to relief and reconstruction after Hurricane Melissa. He said $10 billion was assigned to roof repairs, while donated hurricane funds would support housing foundations and roofing supplies.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding said Labor Day should honour workers and push action on wages, living costs, opportunity, and conditions for families still recovering from the storm.