Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

As senior detectives await the results of a forensic examination, preliminary investigations suggest that the death of retired Senior Superintendent Tony Hewitt could have been the result of a contract killing.

While declining to say much at this time, detectives probing the incident said they are now following strong leads. Up to yesterday, the four men taken into custody since the killing were still being interrogated.

At the crime scene, the police retrieved four spent shells which they have already sent off to the forensic laboratory, along with the deceased's licensed firearm.

The fourth person now in custody was not named among the persons of interest, but turned himself in yesterday in the company of his attorney.

Investigators were already scheduled to question three other men, Jermaine 'Duppy Bat' Smith, Richard 'Red Head' Francis and Jomo McLeod, who turned themselves in on Monday.

Hewitt was attacked on Sunday and shot multiple times while making a visit to an apartment complex on Donmair Close, off Red Hills Road, in St Andrew.

According to the police, it is believed that the retired officer was trailed to the location.

Investigators at the scene said Hewitt was attacked by two men shortly after he drove into the gated community and alighted from the car. It is alleged that one of the gunmen put a gun to his neck.

Hewitt wrestled with them briefly before breaking loose and running back to his car.

During the process, he was shot. He managed to reach for his firearm, which he had left in his vehicle, and took on the gunmen. He later succumbed to his injuries at the Kingston Public Hospital.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com