Cops: No political link in East Portland murder

Port Antonio, Portland:

A Portland man is dead while another is battling for life in the hospital following a late-night shooting at a bar along West Street in Port Antonio on Thursday.

The dead man has been identified as 24-year-old Tevin McKenzie of Halls Avenue, also known as Free School, in the Portland capital.

A 45-year-old fisherman and a 25-year old labourer, who were with McKenzie at the time of the shooting, were also injured and admitted to hospital.

Police sources have revealed that the three men had just exited a bar along West Street and were standing in front of the building shortly after 10 p.m. when they were approached by a lone gunman, who opened fire hitting them.

The fisherman received a gunshot wound to his abdomen, and the other man was shot in the right arm.

McKenzie, who attempted to flee his attacker, received gunshot wounds to the right side and the groin area. He died while undergoing treatment.

Five spent shell casings were recovered from the scene.

The police have theorised that McKenzie, who is a known supporter of the Jamaica Labour Party, was not the target and that he was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Thursday’s killing brings to six the number of persons murdered in Portland since the start of 2019. The police said that the stabbing death of a man last month and also the killing of a female at a bar two weeks ago are considered by them to be a worrying trend.

The police have also stated categorically that the recent killings were not politically motivated.