Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
A SUSPECT who the police believe can assist them with the investigation of the killing of Sergeant Jassett Seville in St. Elizabeth on Sunday, was picked up yesterday during an early morning operation in the parish.
Superintendent Fitzgerald Barrett, the commanding officer for the St. Elizabeth Police Division, said the suspect is now being interrogated. The officer believes the motive behind the killing was robbery, as Sgt Seville's licensed firearm was taken along with his cellular phone and cash.
Sergeant Seville, who is formerly of the Kingston Central Police Division, was shot and killed on Sunday night in Lacovia.
FOUND IN A POOL OF BLOOD
Residents reported that about 10:30 p.m. they heard an explosion and called the police. On the arrival of the police, the Sergeant's body was found in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the Black River Hospital. The policeman was shot at a bar and jerk centre which he owns.
The 51-year-old Seville became the fourth member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to have been murdered by gunmen since the start of the year. He was a 30-year veteran of the force.
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas yesterday condemned the killing and described the incident as a blatant disregard for human life by criminals in the society. He said measures have been put in place to hunt down the felons.
And while expressing condolence to the bereaved family, Opposition spokesman on national security, Derrick Smith, also condemned the slaying of Sgt. Seville. He said the barefaced killing of the sub-officer has highlighted the level of lawlessness that has overtaken the country.
Meanwhile, the country's murder toll has now climbed to 512. Last week 25 persons were murdered across island, four fewer than the number killed the previous week.
