St Elizabeth police investigate deadly Longwood auto mart shooting

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Investigators are waiting on ballistics results as they continue enquiries into a Sunday shooting at an auto mart in Longwood, near Santa Cruz, that ended with two men dead.

The deceased have been identified as 64-year-old businessman and car mart operator Melvin Blythe, and 34-year-old Romele Johnson, also known as “Cutty” or “Cow man”, of Santa Cruz. Detectives spent several hours examining the premises while trying to determine how the incident unfolded.

Police believe Blythe and Johnson became involved in a struggle sometime after 3:00 am Sunday. According to investigators, Blythe, who was licensed to carry a firearm, had left his home from Saturday night and gone to his Longwood auto mart.

Detectives suspect Johnson entered the compound unlawfully with plans to strip vehicles for parts. While processing the location, police found a bag containing tools and observed that a headlight had been removed from one vehicle.

The working theory is that Blythe challenged Johnson and both men were shot during the confrontation. Police said Blythe’s wife grew worried after repeated calls to his phone were not answered. She later went to the auto mart on Sunday evening and discovered his body.

Officers were summoned to the scene. A trail of blood led them over a 10-foot wall, where Johnson’s body was found holding the businessman’s firearm. The bodies were taken to the morgue as investigators await post-mortem and ballistic findings.