Fatal stabbings in St. Elizabeth and Clarendon as Jamaica murder rate falls 23%

Police are investigating separate fatal stabbings in St. Elizabeth and Clarendon after two men were killed on Sunday. Suspects are in custody in both cases as detectives continue their work.

Twenty-two-year-old Taji Atkins, an unemployed resident of Union District in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, was found with multiple stab wounds at the rear of his home shortly after 6:30 a.m. A medical practitioner pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators said the alleged attacker later surrendered to police and remains in custody while the Black River Criminal Investigation Branch carries out its probe.

In Clarendon, 57-year-old entrepreneur Errol Nelson was stabbed to death at his business, the Brandon Hill Breadfruit Tree Shop in Crofts Hill, at about 2:00 p.m. Police said the alleged assailant was subsequently detained. Detectives assigned to the May Pen CIB are examining the circumstances of the killing.

The deaths add to a string of fatal stabbings reported across the island in recent days. Nationally, Jamaica recorded a second consecutive week of single-digit murders, with six homicides between June 21 and June 27, following eight the previous week. As of June 27, the murder toll stood at 265, down 23% from 342 in the corresponding period last year. Latest Jamaica Constabulary Force figures also show declines in shootings, injuries, rape, robberies, and break-ins, contributing to a 20% drop in serious crimes. St. James leads police divisions with 35 murders since the start of the year, a 25% rise year-on-year, while St. Andrew South recorded 22 despite a 51% decline. St. Andrew Central reported 21 murders, Clarendon 20, and Kingston Eastern 19.

In Manchester, a 48-hour curfew took effect at 6:00 p.m. Monday in upper and lower Greenvale, Greenville, after a resident was shot in the face on Saturday while sitting in his car in an area known as Texas. Police said he drove himself to hospital for treatment. Deputy Superintendent Valin Amos, Manchester operations officer, said the measure runs until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday and that officers will continue social intervention efforts, including a local football tournament.

Nearly 30 residents spent close to two hours pressing St. Andrew Northwestern Member of Parliament Dwayne Smith on Sunday over deteriorating roads, stalled infrastructure projects, roadside businesses, and use of the constituency fund. The Havenale and Meadowbrook Citizens Association meeting at the community centre on Border Avenue and Flemington Drive was chaired by association president Opel Davis, who also leads the National Neighborhood Watch.

Residents challenged Smith over roads being repaired and later excavated, poor coordination between agencies, and unfinished National Works Agency works on corridors including Flemington Drive, Waterville Avenue, and Cool Water Avenue. "We don't get the sense that we have a plan," one resident said, questioning spending on road rehabilitation before ageing water mains were addressed.

Smith acknowledged the frustration but defended the Spark Road Rehabilitation Programme, saying it targets roads residents identified in a July 2024 consultation as having gone more than four decades without major repairs. He cited a memorandum of understanding between the National Water Commission and the National Works Agency requiring monitoring of repaired mains before permanent resurfacing, and referenced a proposed single road authority. He said his roughly $20 million constituency development fund allocation includes about $10 million for back-to-school support, with remaining funds shared across road works, medical assistance, housing, and other needs. Smith proposed inviting NWA and NWC representatives to the next citizens association meeting.