Gunmen kill teen, injure soldier

A teenager was shot and killed, and a Jamaica Defence Force soldier wounded, after gunmen carried out a bloody attack on a group of persons in Westmoreland on Tuesday night.

The deceased has been identified as Michael Blake, 18, otherwise called 'Engine', unemployed, of Hartford, in Petersfield.

The soldier, who has since been treated at hospital, is said to be a private who resides in Llandilo in the parish.

Fired several shots

Reports are that the soldier went to visit relatives when he heard gunshots coming from the vicinity of the house. He then saw four men on two motorcycles and a bicycle coming towards him.

One of the men brandished a handgun and fired several shots at him. The soldier ran into nearby bushes to escape.

A report was made to the police, and a team from the Whithorn Police Station visited the scene. Upon their arrival, Blake was seen lying along the roadway in a pool of blood, with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.

He was taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The soldier transported himself to hospital.

The police say they have not yet got a motive for Blake's murder, but they believe the soldier was attacked because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.