Clarendon police probe two deaths in burnt vehicle as St. Ann shooting charge laid

Clarendon police are investigating the deaths of two men whose remains were found in a fire-damaged motor vehicle in Bullet Mountain, Redford, early Saturday. The deceased were identified as farmer Daniel Thomas, 25, and Tyrone Thompson, also called Bubba, 22, both of Good Hope District in the parish.

About 2:15 a.m., officers said the men’s charred bodies were discovered inside a grey Nissan Caravan destroyed by fire. The vehicle also showed what appeared to be bullet damage on the front passenger door and the rear left sliding door. The bodies were taken to hospital, where death was confirmed. The probe continues.

In St. Ann, security guard Garth Wright, 51, of Standfast District, Brown’s Town, was charged after a male customer was shot during a scuffle at a Discovery Bay supermarket on Tuesday, July 7. Wright faces wounding with intent, using a firearm to commit a felony, and possession of a firearm to cause injury.

Discovery Bay police said that around 5:50 p.m. the customer entered the store where Wright worked. As he was leaving, Wright asked to search his bag; the man refused. A fight followed, and Wright allegedly used his licensed firearm to shoot the customer in the abdomen. Police were called and the injured man was admitted to hospital. After reviewing video and taking a statement from the complainant, investigators arrested and charged Wright. A court date is being arranged.

The family of missing St. Ann man Owen “Teacher” Hamilton is offering $500,000 for information on his whereabouts. Relatives say he left his Steer Town home on Saturday, July 4, to attend a grave digging at Mountain Road, Bamboo, travelling by public transport, but never arrived and has not been heard from. When last seen he wore a plaid shirt and black pants. He is about six feet tall, weighs roughly 170 pounds, and has greyish hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Ann police or the nearest station, or call 876-407-0350 or 876-369-0145.

In St. Catherine, Old Harbour police charged 69-year-old landlord Gonzales, also called Guns, with breaches of the Rent Restriction Act and with breaking and larceny. Reports say a tenant locked her rented home and left on July 6; when she returned about 3 p.m. on July 9, the padlocks on the front grill had reportedly been cut and replaced. A room door had been forced and a savings pan holding about $400,000 in coins was missing. Gonzales was arrested and charged on July 11 after reportedly admitting the offences. His court date is being set.

The People’s National Party said Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central Dwayne Vaz has left the opposition shadow cabinet after talks with Opposition Leader Mark Golding. Vaz will concentrate on constituency work and will no longer serve as deputy spokesperson on roads and works. Golding and the party said they accept his decision and thanked him for his service.

Separately, officials reminded the public that under Section 15 of the Justices of the Peace Act, a JP’s office is not one of emolument and duties should be free. Anyone asked by a JP for money or a favour should note the JP’s name and report it to the Custos in that parish or the Ministry of Justice via 888-JUSTICE. Breaches of the code can lead to revocation of the commission by the Governor-General on the minister’s recommendation, with no reapplication or appeal once revoked.

At the St. Catherine District Adult Correctional Centre, Corporal Carbert highlighted education and skills programmes for inmates, including university pathways and training in computing and radio broadcasting, stressing rehabilitation beyond confinement.