Shopkeeper Shot Dead Near Spaldings as Police Net Five Wanted Men in St. Mary

A shopkeeper known only by the alias Shine was shot dead at her roadside business on Unan Road near Spaldings in northern Clarendon on Friday afternoon, police reports indicate.

Preliminary accounts say a gunman confronted her about 4:30 p.m., opened fire and struck her several times before fleeing. She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead on arrival. Manchester police, who have jurisdiction over Spaldings though the area lies in Clarendon, had not established a motive.

In St. Mary, five men sought by police were arrested and charged over the past two weeks. Among them is Alex Coburn, also called Alex, charged in connection with a double murder. Also charged are Malik White for robbery with aggravation; Marlon James, also called Alicat, for wounding with intent involving a firearm; Siobhan Fullerton for shooting with intent; and Alex Carriage for simple larceny, unauthorised access to computer data and eight further offences. Superintendent Anthony Wallace said the arrests signal that offenders will be relentlessly pursued.

In St. James Parish Court on Wednesday, Carlos Christie, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud, repaid $200,000 to two women in a job-scam matter. One complainant recovered the full $52,000 she had paid; another received $148,000, with $57,000 still outstanding. Judge Akisha Grant-Price directed efforts to reach a third complainant and set July 29 for the remaining balance. Christie was admonished and discharged on the fully repaid matter and remanded; bail for his brother and co-accused, Brian Christie, was extended. Police allege complainants paid into an account in Carlos Christie’s name after a man calling himself Mr Campbell offered overseas jobs, and that Brian Christie posed as Campbell while Carlos’s banking details were found in Brian’s possession. Carlos Christie said his brother used his information without consent while he was in custody in St. Ann.

In the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court, Judge Peter Wilson extended bail for Camarine Williams, charged with assault occasioning bodily harm involving a 16-year-old, to allow mediation. Addressing Williams, the judge said: “I don’t know how old you are, but definitely much older than this gentleman… which means that you put your hand upon the little boy. You understand? You are stronger than the youth.” He urged the teenager to stay in school and avoid fights, and told Williams to make mediation work. The case returns November 26.

In Trelawny, Superintendent Vilani Campbell urged Troy residents to stop blocking roads after Thursday’s protest linked to a man held over a fatal mobbing that followed the killing of 10-year-old Shennai Ko, whose body was found Tuesday with her throat slashed. Campbell said roadblocks were causing further instability and that officers had visited the child’s family to offer condolences and seek community support for law and order.

In Montego Bay, Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels told a Wednesday Area One review at Arawak headquarters that a former Flanker area leader, previously deported from the United States in 2018, is expected to be returned to Jamaica soon. Police said they are preparing so his return does not reverse gains against violent crime. The session, attended by Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake and led by Assistant Commissioner Ford Miller, reviewed crime trends and policing strategy across western Jamaica.