WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MAN who was fatally shot by police in St. James on Sunday, has been positively identified as the one of the gunmen that shot and injured a well-known businessman in Paradise, St. James, nearly three weeks ago.
Information from the Montego Bay police is that 30-year-old Hopeton Brown, also known as 'Sandokhan', of Canter-bury in Montego Bay, was reportedly identified as the shooter on Monday by witnesses who went to the morgue.
VIOLENT PROTEST
The businessman's shooting sparked a violent protest by residents in the community, who contended that the police were tardy in arresting one of their colleagues, who they accused of attacking Cedric 'Goosie' Thorpe.
Investigators say they are unable to deduce how the accusation of the policeman's involvement came about, as there is no evidence to support the claim.
Brown, a fugitive from justice in the United States and who was featured on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Ten Most Wanted List, was killed in an alleged shoot-out in the Lilliput area.
RECOVERED AMMUNITION
A modified Carbon 15 pistol, which fires M-16 rounds, one Colt Mack Four Series 80 .45 automatic pistol, three motor cars, a green mask and an assortment of ammunition were also recovered following Sunday's shooting.
An accomplice, who remains unidentified, was also arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition as well as shooting with intent. The second man is expected to face police line-ups for crimes including armed robberies and shootings.
Thorpe was reportedly attacked on March 6 about 7:30 p.m. by a group of four gunmen at his business place on Paradise Crescent.
He was hospitalised for gunshot wounds to his chest, back and leg. The police said they found a number of M-16, .45 and 9mm spent shells at the scene.
