St Elizabeth Police Urge Conflict Mediation After Fatal Stephenson Town Family Dispute

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Following Saturday’s fatal family-related incident in Stephenson Town, close to Southfield in St Elizabeth, divisional commander Superintendent Coleridge Minto is calling on residents to settle disputes peacefully and seek help before conflicts turn violent.

Minto, who heads the St Elizabeth police division, also pointed residents to the domestic violence intervention centre based at the Santa Cruz Police Station.

Speaking in Santa Cruz on Sunday, he said the parish has recorded 14 murders since the beginning of the year, with roughly 60 per cent linked to interpersonal conflict and, in some instances, domestic violence. He said the latest killing arose from a dispute among relatives.

The superintendent said he has been repeatedly encouraging people across the parish to use the police-run service when disagreements or domestic problems cannot be resolved on their own. He noted that trained personnel are stationed at the Santa Cruz centre and are prepared to assist people dealing with domestic disputes. Minto described the latest incident as deeply regrettable.

Police said a 19-year-old suspect was taken into custody on Saturday after he was accused of using a machete to attack his two brothers, killing one, and injuring their mother in Stephenson Town.

The man who died has been identified by police as Travis Williams, a labourer who lived in Stephenson Town.

According to the police report, shortly before 1:00 am, the 19-year-old allegedly chopped his two siblings and his mother at the family home.

A 14-year-old sibling and the boys’ 43-year-old mother were taken to hospital in critical condition. Williams died at the location.

Investigators said Williams suffered numerous severe chop wounds across his body.