JDF soldier goes down with a fight

A Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier joined the growing list of murder victims across the island since the start of the year, but not before taking one of his attackers down with him.

Ricardo Bennett of Summerset Avenue in Manchester was among five persons killed between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. yesterday.

According to information obtained from the Corporate Communications Unit, the 31-year-old lance corporal was in a barber shop at around 10 p.m. on Friday when three armed men entered and opened gunfire, hitting him. It is alleged that Bennett returned fire and one of his attackers was shot dead.

The police were summoned to the scene and Bennett and the other unidentified man were taken to the hospital where they were both pronounced dead.

The Cross Roads police, who are investigating, are appealing to members of the public who might have information that can assist in their investigation to come forward.

Another Manchester resident, 21-year-old Nicholas Nelson, a construction worker from Cedar Grove district, Mandeville, was shot dead in his community on Friday.

Reports from the Mandeville police revealed that at approximately 7:10 p.m., residents heard explosions and summoned the police. On their arrival, Nelson was seen lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Another 21-year-old, Ackeem Reid, otherwise called 'Bullo', from Ricketts Street, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, was also fatally shot on Friday night.

It was learnt that at approximately 7:45 p.m., residents heard explosions and called the police. Upon arrival, they found Reid on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.

In another incident, the police are now in search of a man known only as 'Smiley' in connection with the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Peter Sewell, otherwise called Jason.

According to reports from the Papine police, at around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sewell and another man were involved in a dispute in the St Andrew community of Golding Avenue, when the assailant used a knife to stab him several times.

Another dispute in the Orange district of St James resulted in another fatal stabbing earlier in the day.

Reports from the Amity Hall police are that about 11:20 a.m. Friday, 25-year-old Casan Blackburn was among a group of men in a yard when he and one of them got involved in a dispute. It is alleged that during the dispute, Blackburn was stabbed in his neck and was taken to hospital where he died.

The police are now in search of the other man who was involved in the altercation.