The police have identified seven persons of interest in the wake of a devastating act of violence that has shaken the community of Waterloo, off the Sligoville main road in Spanish Town, St Catherine, and resulted in the deaths of a family of three, including a pregnant mother.
The victims have been identified as 34-year-old Sharon Francis-Wellington, who was reported to be six months’ pregnant; her husband, 43-year-old Omar Wellington; and their 16-year-old son, Orlando Wellington.
Neighbours were alerted by the sound of gunfire and discovered the bodies about 5:30 a.m. lying in different areas of the house.
Two of the victims’ hands were tied and their throats slashed. All were shot. The house was also ransacked.
While the police have not yet established a motive for the murder of the family, Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, who is in charge of the communication arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, told reporters that someone in the community or someone connected to the family might have information to share with investigators.
“Whatever information they have ... they can share with investigators very early, and when I say very early, I mean very early, because, when we don’t know where it is coming from, it is not unusual for persons to take reprisal,” Lindsay said.
An informed source told The Gleaner, however, that the possible motive could stem from a lingering gang feud that has existed for some time between rival factions of the Clansman gang.
“It is a case of, if you can’t catch the one you want, then you target family members,” the source said.
According to the source, there have been shootings back and forth by gang members in the community for some time, and a family member of the victims – known as ‘Blacks’ and who was alleged to have been a target in the rivalry – has left the island.
‘Blacks’ is among the persons of interest identified and who have been asked to report to the Spanish Town Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) by 5 p.m. tomorrow. The others are Demar Williams, otherwise called ‘Kye Kye’; Othniel Loban, otherwise called ‘Tickman’; a man known only as ‘Buffy’; a man known only as ‘Richie’; a man known only as ‘Negus’, who is said to be overseas; and a man known only as ‘Gaza’ or ‘Gaza man’.
The St Catherine North police have confirmed that there have been shootings in the area, but were unable to immediately provide further details.
In the meantime, family members of the victims were shocked at the harrowing incident, while community members gathered and expressed disbelief.
“Them a loving and peaceful family, them but trouble nobody,” said one family member who was visibly shaken by the incident. “They are Christians, them go a the Church of God church in the community, so mi nuh know why they would a kill them.
“A work mi a go when mi get the call and mi haffi turn back because mi couldn’t cope.”
Another distraught community member said the family had lived in the area for more than 15 years.
“They never trouble a soul, so this is very hard to believe that them killed them like that.”
Lindsay said detectives had combed the crime scene and were putting the pieces together to see if they could make an early breakthrough in solving the murders.