Manhunt on as killers ambush gas station operator

The Westmoreland police chief has vowed to hunt down the killers of a popular service station operator on Wednesday night and has deployed a strong detachment of officers in Whitehouse.

The deceased has been identified as 54-year-old Shaun Thompson.

Reports by the Whitehouse police are that shortly after 10 p.m., Thompson had just closed his business before heading home in the upscale housing scheme at South Sea Park, also in the community.

He drove into his yard, parked his vehicle and went to his house but turned back after realising he had forgotten to close his gate.

Thompson was pounced upon by armed men who robbed him of cash before shooting him.

He was pronounced dead at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.

Commanding officer in charge of Westmoreland, Superintendent Robert Gordon, told The Gleaner that they theorised that the motive was robbery.

“I myself have visited the home of the deceased and lent my sympathies to the family in their time of grief. I have also assured them that we will be doing everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice,” Gordon said.

Thompson is the third person to be murdered in the parish of Westmoreland since the start of the year.

Following his death on Wednesday, the joint security forces working under the state of public emergency in the parish have beefed up personnel at checkpoints and increased patrols.