By Denise Clarke, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
POLICE IN Westmoreland are investigating whether the shooting death of an American citizen in Little Bay on Monday is connected to a land dispute between himself and residents of the area.
John Eugster, 49, who lived in Jamaica for more than 30 years, was gunned down on a farm in Little Bay on Monday.
The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) report that Mr. Eugster and another man, John Gordon of Hopewell, Hanover, were at the farm about 4:00 p.m., when a white Toyota Corolla motor car registered 8694 PP drove up.
ARMED MEN
Three men, armed with guns, alighted from the vehicle and opened fire hitting the men. The gunmen then robbed the injured men of $8,000, a mobile phone and a licensed semi-automatic pistol, bearing the serial number TDN0843 and loaded with 18 rounds.The gunmen then escaped in the waiting car.
Mr. Eugster died while undergoing treatment at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, while Mr. Gordon was admitted in a serious condition.
The police in the meantime are probing whether Mr. Eugster's death was a reprisal for the killing of Violet McFarlane last June. Ms. McFarlane, a resident of Little Bay, was chopped to death at her home by unknown assailants.
12 PERSONS INVOLVED
At the time of her death, Ms. McFarlane was one of 12 persons involved in a legal battle with Mr. Eugster, concerning his claim to ownership of the land. At that time, residents in the area had told The Gleaner that they believed Ms. McFarlane's death was connected to the land dispute.
The properties in question span hundreds of acres, and are located just outside the resort town of Negril.
In a letter sent through his publicist last June, Mr. Eugster had responded to queries made by The Gleaner, insisting that he had purchased the properties in 2001 and was in possession of the relevant titles. The letter, which was signed by Mr. Eugster, also stated that he had offered to allot a quarter acre to each resident already living on the property, but that the residents refused the offer.
Last June, residents contended that Mr. Eugster could not have purchased the land, as the previous owner was deceased and had bequeathed the land to them.
LAND OWNERSHIP
The residents also alleged that Ms. McFarlane's death came as a result of her efforts on behalf of the other residents to ascertain the true ownership of the land.
The matter had been referred to the Dispute Resolution Foundation.
