Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
THREE MOTOR vehicles and a grocery store were destroyed by fire and a house partially burnt during two days of protests by residents of Farm Town in St. Ann.
The residents say they are seeking justice for the killing of one of their members.
After clearing several road-blocks, the police up to late yesterday evening have had to be maintaining a strong presence in Farm Town and adjoining communities following threats of further protests by the angry residents.
CONTRACT KILLING
The residents claimed that 31-year-old Rayon Whitehorn, also called 'Bruck Up', who was shot and killed in the district on February 1, was the victim of a contract killing and that the police had not done enough to apprehend the killers.
The residents also claimed they have been trying to provide the police with information which could assist them in their investigations, but that the lawmen are moving too slowly on the matter.
The two-day protest, which started Sunday afternoon, was sparked by an altercation between residents and a group of 'strange men' who were seen using a pick-up truck to move goods from the business place of an individual the residents suspect was involved in the killing.
It is reported that the argument became heated and one of the men who had a firearm fired two shots in the air before fleeing the scene in the company of a policeman who had accompanied them. They left a Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck behind.
The pick-up was badly damaged by rocks thrown by residents, then set on fire.
The residents then turned their attention to the grocery store and also set it ablaze.
The police brought things to a calm until yesterday morning when the residents decided to further vent their anger.
SET FIRES
They blocked the Discovery Bay to Farm Town main road, setting fire at some points. They also set fire to the three-bedroom house of the individual they claimed to be a suspect. Two motor cars left on the premises were also set ablaze.
Following the clearing of the road, senior police officers, led by Senior Superintendent Ray Palmer, held talks with some of the residents, during which they were assured that top level investigations were being carried out into Whitehorn's murder.
SSP Palmer also informed the residents that the police would be carrying out investigations into the burning of the motor vehicles and the building, and that those found to be involved would be formally charged.
