Jamaica crime roundup: Spanish Town triple killing, Kingston police shooting and Manchester scam arrests

Police are probing a Wednesday night shooting on Charlottwood in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, that left three people dead and others wounded. The victims identified so far are 27-year-old businessman Akim Smith, of the community, and Barton Stewart. Police said a third man also died, but his name was not yet released.

Reports say Smith and Stewart were among people gathered about 10:30 p.m. when gunmen opened fire. A 21-year-old woman was reportedly hit while inside her house, and another man was chased and shot. Stewart died at Spanish Town Hospital, while two other injured men later succumbed. The Major Investigation Division is handling the case.

In St. James, 27-year-old Chrono Steven, also called Box, a labourer of Phoenix Road in Maroon Town, was shot dead about 6:10 p.m. Wednesday. Maroon Town detectives are investigating. St. James has recorded 30 murders up to May 31, eight more than the same period last year.

Police also reported that 34-year-old former constable Mike Rebe, of Lincoln Road, Kingston, was fatally shot after allegedly robbing a taxi operator of his vehicle at gunpoint along Camp Road, Kingston 5. Investigators said an illegal gun, a magazine and nine 9mm cartridges were seized. Police said Rebe had been dismissed from the Jamaica Constabulary Force before completing probation.

In another St. James matter, police seized a Glock 43 pistol, a magazine and two 9mm rounds during a May 29 operation in Melbourne after responding to a Green Pond shooting report. No one was arrested.

Manchester police said anti-lottery scam operations led by DSP Dave Brown resulted in 11 arrests, three charges, the seizure of Jamaican and US cash, and three vehicles, including a Benz, a Voxy and a Mark X.

In St. Mary Parish Court, 46-year-old Kelvin Patrick Eststein was fined $165,000 after pleading guilty to ganja possession and dealing charges linked to 52 pounds of ganja found during a May 26 roadblock on the Cambridge main road.

Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said Jamaica is prepared to help medical students leave Cuba if requested, though none has formally asked for assistance. Separately, the PNP called for FLA CEO Shane Dalling to resign after an Integrity Commission report alleged serious failures at the agency.