ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A quiet morning in the tranquil district of Mountainside in St Elizabeth turned disastrous when a couple was brutally murdered early Friday morning. The incident has jolted the otherwise peaceful community, known for its low crime rate.
Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St Elizabeth police, confirmed the tragic event. According to Superintendent Minto, the couple was ambushed at around 3:45 am while they were making their way out of Mango Walk Lane. The female victim, a craft vendor who sold her wares at the Montego Bay Craft Market, was being assisted by her common-law spouse at the time. The serenity of the morning was shattered by gunshots, alerting residents who subsequently found the bodies and notified the police.
“Upon our arrival at the scene, we discovered the lifeless body of the lady lying face down on the road. The gentleman’s body was found some distance away in the bushes,” Minto described somberly.
Superintendent Minto was quick to point out that this violent episode is highly unusual for Mountainside, emphasizing that the area has been virtually free of major crime for over a year.
“This is a community that is not known for violence. The residents of this area are very concerned and certainly not accustomed to this type of incident in this space. We are appealing to anyone who may have any information at all on this gruesome act to share with the police,” he said.
He urged those with any knowledge relevant to the investigation to come forward, highlighting the importance of community assistance in solving the crime.
“You can call 119, Crime Stop at 311, or the Black River police. Any information you have, it doesn’t matter how slight it is or how minor you think it is, please share it with the police,” urged Minto.
The shocking double homicide has cast a pall over the Mountainside community, leaving residents grappling with fear and uncertainty. As the investigation unfolds, the community and law enforcement are hoping for swift justice and a return to tranquility.
