Daryl Vaz to brief Parliament on JPS blackout as police probe Waterford killings

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz is expected to address Parliament on Tuesday, June 9, about last Friday’s islandwide electricity failure, as Jamaica Public Service customers continue to report uneven power supply across sections of the country.

Vaz said he had received an initial report on the blackout and that it was under review. He also said he was aware of fresh power cuts in several communities and had asked JPS for urgent information, including details on outages linked to bad weather the previous day.

In St. Catherine, the Major Investigations Division is examining a late-Monday night attack in Waterford, Portmore, that left two men dead and another hospitalised. The dead men have been identified as 26-year-old Antoine Reid, also called “Junior Gong,” and 26-year-old Saeed Roach, also called “Sid,” both from Falmouth East in Waterford.

Reports are that about 10:30 p.m., the men were with others at the junction of Logwood and Di’s roads when a grey car arrived. A gunman got out and opened fire, hitting Reid and Roach in the upper body and wounding another man in the back. The attacker then left in a waiting vehicle. Reid and Roach were later pronounced dead at hospital, while the injured man remained admitted. A 17-year-old boy at the location was not hurt. Police said several 9mm spent shells and other items were collected.

Waterford councillor Dr Fenley Douglas said residents were shaken and appealed for the community to cooperate with the police to help restore calm.

Meanwhile, a 48-hour curfew remains in force in sections of St. Mary. The restriction began at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 8, and is scheduled to end at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. Police said it is intended to preserve order, deter crime, reduce violence and prevent reprisals. Residents in the affected areas have been told to stay indoors unless police give permission to leave.

Separately, Jamaican-American Elaine Anglin Esco, also known as Anna Palma, has been placed on the FBI’s new most-wanted fraud list over an alleged US$34-million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. The FBI is offering up to US$150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the 41-year-old, who is wanted on a federal warrant issued on May 22 last year.

In Old Harbour, St. Catherine, relatives and residents are seeking help to find two fishermen reported missing since Sunday, May 24. The missing men include Nigel Nicholson and Marlon Carnegie. Families and other fishermen have been watching the coastline daily and are asking the Coast Guard to intensify the search.