Family tragedy
Man dead after allegedly being stabbed by companion’s niece
Published:Monday | July 10, 2023 | 12:17 AM
The St Andrew North police have reportedly taken a soon-to-be mother into custody after she fatally stabbed a man during a domestic dispute at their home in Mount Ogle, St Andrew, over the weekend.
Occurring around 8:15 p.m. Saturday, the incident has, since then, sent residents’ tongues wagging as the community discusses the deadly incident in public court.
The residents were largely struck by the reality of one young individual facing murder charges and another’s family left to plan a funeral.
The deceased is 31-year-old Ryan West, unemployed, of a Mt Ogle address.
Reports are that West and the 18-year-old accused had a dispute and a knife was used to stab him.
According to the police, they resided at the same location and the dead man was in a relationship with the accused’s aunt.
Information reaching The Gleaner is that the two parties had an altercation and West held on to the suspect’s neck. She reportedly managed to free herself and ran to a house, where she armed herself with a knife.
The young woman and West, residents said, subsequently crossed paths in a walkway leading to the yard, where another altercation developed between them, during which she used the knife to stab him in the neck.
West collapsed and was later assisted to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), where he was pronounced dead.
The Gleaner understands that a knife, believed to be the weapon involved in the incident, was retrieved from the scene.
Yesterday, residents said there had been a “contentious vibe” in the area since another woman became pregnant with West’s child and he started a new relationship.
“Them say him nuh have no respect. That was what dem have it to say. That don’t give him any right to hit her or fi her to stab him. People must try resolve differences without violence,” a resident told The Gleaner.
Saw it coming
It was not immediately clear what specifically triggered Saturday’s incident, but residents say they saw it coming.
“The entire road was blocked … . Suppose you see people, pure crowd full the street when dem hear what happen. Some people were in shock and some saying they never knew it would lead to this. She pregnant and a look pon jail time and fi him family have funeral fi plan,” a resident said.
The Gleaner was also told that the deceased man’s family was struggling to come to terms with his death.
The Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.
At the same time, the police encouraged citizens to seek help with domestic violence or issues affecting families in and around the household.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s domestic violence intervention (DVI) centres provide assistance to anyone who is being abused in anyway by their partner.
Persons who need help are encouraged to call or visit the DVI centre or police station closest to them.