Morant Bay stabbing leaves man hospitalised as teens held, Chronic Law detained again in Florida

A 64-year-old man remains hospitalised in serious condition and two teenage girls are in police custody after an alleged attack in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, on the morning of Saturday, July 5.

Officers said the complainant, aged 64, had arranged to meet the girls, aged 15 and 14, around 3:00 a.m. at a villa for a sexual encounter. Investigators allege the teenagers bought duct tape, knives, tarpaulin, and other items beforehand. The man reportedly collected them the night before and drove them to the property, where he rented a room.

During the encounter, he was allegedly stabbed in the face, neck, and back. He escaped the room, raised an alarm, and was found bleeding at the scene before admission to hospital. The suspects are said to have fled in his motor vehicle. Both girls were arrested later that day on suspicion of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and simple assault. The investigation is ongoing.

Dancehall entertainer Chronic Law, whose given name is Zake Campbell, has been detained again by United States authorities. His manager, Alexandre Bashi Jones, confirmed the detention and urged the public to await the legal process. In a statement to World Music Views on Monday, Jones said, "We are aware of the report regarding Chronic Law's detention in South Florida. At this time, I ask the public I ask the public, members of the media and the fans to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course. Our legal team is actively handling the matter and I have full confidence that it will be addressed through the appropriate legal channels."

Reports indicate Campbell was booked by Broward County law enforcement on firearm-related charges on July 5, 2026. It is his second US detention this year; he was held by immigration authorities in January and released in March, an ordeal that inspired his EP Ice Inside Cold and Empty. Jones said no further statements would be issued while proceedings continue and asked fans to avoid speculation.

The Jamaica Council of Churches has called on the Government to stop negotiations on a proposed agreement with the United States to accept third-country nationals until the matter undergoes open parliamentary debate and wider public consultation. In a Monday statement, the council criticised the lack of transparency around the memorandum of understanding and questioned why deportees would be routed through Jamaica rather than returned to their countries of origin.

The group urged full disclosure from the Ministry of National Security and the Office of the Prime Minister, warning that outsourcing displacement does not address root causes of regional instability. It also contrasted Jamaica's long-stated limits on absorbing vulnerable migrants with willingness to host a transit arrangement brokered with a global power, citing scripture on protecting refugees. The council acknowledged security and economic pressures on the state but said development must not come at the cost of humanitarian standards, referencing the wrongful 2025 deportation of a Jamaican citizen to Eswatini. It demanded release of the completed agreement text and reaffirmation of non-refoulement.

Retired sprint legend Asafa Powell has paid tribute to longtime coach Steven Francis, who died late Saturday, a day after his 64th birthday. In an Instagram post on Monday, Powell said he was still struggling to accept the loss. He credited Francis with shaping more than two decades of his career, from Charlie Mount High School to Kingston. Powell wrote, "Thank you, coach. I'll never forget you. Thank you for believing in me before the world did."