Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Detectives in St. James were left puzzled yesterday afternoon about the motive for the killing of the general manager of the Montego Bay branch of Minott's Services.

Workers cried openly, describing their boss as the best person one could ever have met. They could not fathom why anyone would want to kill him.

Dead is 36-year-old Steven Effs. Up to late yesterday afternoon, investigators were unable to furnish details surrounding the incident.

However, they confirmed that about 3:00 p.m., Effs was sitting around his desk inside his office at 57 Claude Clarke Avenue, when three men entered the building.

Explosions heard

Shortly afterwards, workers who were on the outside said they heard explosions. Upon investigating, they discovered Effs lying in a pool of blood on the floor behind his desk. He was pronounced dead at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

Effs' licensed .38 revolver was reportedly stolen and his wallet was found minus its contents. No spent shells were found at the scene, leading investigators to suspect that he may have been shot with a .38 revolver.

"It could be that his attackers used his own gun to shoot him, but we cannot determine that as yet, as investigations are continuing," said an officer.