Man killed, taxi driver injured in Rockfort dispute

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A taxi driver was shot and wounded and another man was stabbed to death following an alleged domestic dispute in Rockfort, east of Kingston on Saturday evening.

The deceased has been identified as 23-year-old Yusuf Linton, also known as ‘Isis’, a resident of Cheriton Road in the community. The injured taxi driver was hospitalized.

Reach reports Observer online indicate that the taxi driver was drinking liquor at home around 11:30 PM and arguing over an incident where it was alleged that a man informed his girlfriend, who lives abroad, about him.

The tone of his voice and the consistency of his speech irritated others in the courtyard to the point that they reportedly collectively attempted to forcibly evict the taxi driver from the premises.

Police said these other individuals went to the taxi driver’s room, removed appliances, utensils and other personal items and threw them outside.

The taxi driver, who was next door at the time and heard the noise, went to his room to investigate when he reportedly saw a man standing with a firearm in his hand as his belongings were being thrown away.

Police reported that the taxi driver, realizing he was outnumbered, grabbed a knife from the sink. The knife was reportedly used to inflict a wound on Linton, who was coming towards him.

The taxi driver was reportedly shot in the left side of the head. He is said to have dived and managed to run out of the house and escape. He was chased but managed to reach the Rockfort Police Station where he was taken to hospital for treatment.

The other man, Linton, was taken to Kingston Public Hospital where he was treated but later succumbed to his injuries.

A state of emergency was declared in Rockfort and surrounding areas on Friday following the killing of five people during a community football game on Heroes’ Day last Monday.

READ: SOE declared in east Kingston after mass shooting at Rockfort football game