UPDATE: Cops name persons of interest in Rockfort cabbie shooting

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police are searching for five men who they say are persons of interest in an altercation which claimed the life of one man and left another injured in the crime-riddled community of Rockfort in east Kingston.

The men being sought are identified as:

* ‘Max’

* ‘Geo Dawg’

* ‘Benji’

* Nikon Linton, otherwise called ‘Stooky’

* Okero Lafesta

Police said the men are being sought in connection with the shooting of a taxi driver. The cabbie was shot after he allegedly stabbed 23-year-old Yusuf Linton, otherwise called ‘Isis’ at the premises where they resided. Linton later died in hospital.

Reports were that around 11:30 pm, the cabbie was at home drinking liquor and quarrelling about an incident in which it is alleged that a man had informed on him to his girlfriend, who is living overseas.

The tone of his voice and the consistency of his argument annoyed other people in the yard, so they allegedly collectively attempted to forcefully evict the taxi driver from the premises.

These other persons, the police said, went to the cabbie’s room, removed appliances, utensils and other personal items from inside and threw them outside.

The cabbie, who was next door at that time and heard the noise, went to his room to investigate when he allegedly saw a man with a firearm in his hand standing watching as his belongings were thrown out. The police reported that the taxi driver, realizing he was outnumbered, reached for a knife from the kitchen sink. The knife was allegedly used to inflict a wound on Linton, who allegedly advanced towards him.

The cabbie was allegedly shot in the left side of his head. He ducked, ran from the house and escaped. He was allegedly chased but managed to run to the Rockfort Police Station where he was assisted to the hospital.

Linton also underwent treatment at hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

READ: Man killed, taxi driver injured in Rockfort dispute