News

Politician's house shot at

By NAGRA PLUNKETT, Staff Reporter

Western Bureau:

THE MONTEGO BAY police are probing a shooting incident in which gunmen allegedly fired on the residence of Christopher Powell, secretary/manager of the St. James Parish Council early yesterday morning in Montego Bay.

Powell, who was asleep at home when the shooting occurred, escaped unharmed and has commenced immediate departmental leave. He also said that he has indicated to the Public Services Commission (PSC), his intent to be transferred from the western parish.

"It is shocking! The surprising thing is that I didn't know that a secretary/manager's post was so important," he told reporters. "I am going on departmental leave for a few weeks and then vacation leave. I am not coming back to St. James."

The 40-year-old ex-army officer explained that he has no idea why he would be attacked as he had not crossed anyone and referred to himself as "just an ordinary civil servant trying to do a job."

He noted that at least 12 shots were fired at his home situated at 4 Leaders Avenue in Montego Bay. He said one bullet lodged in the door, two hit below the kitchen window, two more went into the pillar on the verandah and ricocheted into the door. The others lodged in a grill on the outside gate. The incident sparked a demonstration among the administrative and auxiliary staff, who vowed to disrupt the council's operations if the Ministry of Local Government did not intervene.

A tearful Doreen James, planning co-ordinator at the parish council, said that Mr. Powell has given invaluable service to the municipal body during his two years there.

"Mr. Powell has done a lot for the staff here, he has led us and he has the respect of the staff. There's nothing that we wouldn't do for him," cried Mrs. James, who has given 34 years of service to the council. "Now that he is leaving, who is gonna see to our needs?"

Mr. Powell is maintaining that he has not been scared away but rather that he is sensibly excusing himself from the parish.

"It's just unfortunate I like working here, I like working with my staff. I think I've done things to motivate them and put certain systems in place and have served the citizens. But at the end of the day I have to look out for myself," he concluded.

Police reports state that the shooting took place about 12:15 a.m. It is said that a white Toyota Corolla station wagon with three men aboard drove past Powell's residence and fired several shots which hit the walls of the house. Further reports are that four 9mm spent shells and several bullet fragments were recovered from the scene.

Detectives from the Montego Bay Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have concluded that the shooting seems to be an 'intimidatory act'. Up to press time, investigators had not established a motive for the shooting and were still working to find out the registration plate and number of the Toyota Corolla.