WESTERN BUREAU:
THE PROPRIETOR of the popular Jungle nightclub in Negril, Westmoreland, was taken into custody on Monday after he allegedly discharged his licensed firearm while at a stage show in the resort town.
Dean Wallace, the 28-year-old general manager of the club, had his licensed 9mm Heckler and Kock pistol seized, and is booked to appear in the Western Regional Gun Court on January 8. The act was allegedly committed when Wallace was attending a stage show dubbed 'Reggae by the sea' at the MX111 lawn on West End road in Negril in the wee hours of Monday morning.
The CCN report that at about 1:30 a.m. Wallace, who was a patron at the show, allegedly discharged the weapon in the presence of two uniformed police officers. It is further alleged that when the officers spoke to Mr. Wallace about his action, he reportedly told them that he could effect the transfer of the two police officers on the scene or any officer at the Negril police station.
When the show was over, the police searched the area where the incident reportedly occurred and found seven 9mm spent shells. Wallace was taken into custody and charged with breaches of the Firearms Act. His licensed firearm was subsequently seized, and will be sent to the government forensic laboratory for testing.
In light of this incident, the Negril police have issued a special appeal to licensed firearm holders to pay strict attention to the Firearms Act, and also to their responsibilities as licensed firearm holders.
