Clarendon shopkeeper murdered as police operations leave two dead and 18 in custody

A shopkeeper known to residents only as Shine was shot dead at her roadside shop on the Allston main road near Spalding, north Clarendon, about 4:30 p.m. Friday, one of three fatal shootings reported across the island that day. A gunman fired several shots at her and fled, and she was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Allston lies in Clarendon but is policed by the Manchester division, which has not established a motive.

The Independent Commission of Investigations is probing the police killing of a man on St. John's Road, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, about 4:15 p.m. Police believe he is teacher Adrian Thomas, otherwise called Shiva, of that address, though his identity is unconfirmed. St. Catherine North Crime Branch officers acting on a report of armed men at the premises say three men confronted them, two fled, and the deceased fired first before a handgun fell from him and was retrieved. He died at Spanish Town Hospital.

In Parry Town, Ocho Rios, one man died and 18 people, women among them, were held in early-morning raids. Senior Superintendent Carlos Russell said the target pointed a gun at officers, who fired in fear for their lives. "He was injured, taken to St. Ann's Bay Police Station, where he has since been pronounced dead," Russell said, naming him as Russian Allen, otherwise called Coco, a known violence producer who was answering a murder charge. A loaded firearm was seized and three detainees face Dangerous Drugs Act charges.

Police also swept Troy, Trelawny, for suspects in Thursday's mob killing of a man accused of raping and murdering 10-year-old Shante Coke. The operation followed the torching of the accused man's home and the killing of a dog in the yard; one man is in custody over the attack. Trelawny commander Superintendent Velanie Campbell visited the child's family in Tyre District and appealed against road blockades. "We are enlisting the support of residents for law and order to be maintained in the community," she said.

In Newlands, Portmore, the Specialized Operations Branch recovered two revolvers, ammunition, three portable radios and two chargers on Ebanks Close after gunmen fired on officers and escaped.

Romario Gordon, 24, who was shot during a July 14 operation on the Bustamante Highway in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, has been charged with eight counts of shooting with intent along with firearm and ammunition offences. West Kingston Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie was pepper sprayed at a protest over that shooting.

Five wanted men were charged after two weeks of coordinated operations: Alex Coburn, called Lex, over a double murder; Malique White, robbery with aggravation; Marlon James, called Ali Cat, wounding with intent; Chevon Fullerton, shooting with intent; and Alex Ketridge, larceny, unauthorised computer access and eight other offences. Superintendent Anthony Wallace said criminals will be relentlessly pursued.

Opposition spokesperson on social protection and social transformation Dr. Angela Brown-Burke condemned the fixing of permanent plaques bearing the Prime Minister's name to homes built under the New Hope social housing programme, calling the practice dehumanising. "No Jamaican should have to pay for that roof with their privacy and dignity," she said.