Men charged with firearm offences

Randy Cole, 25 a tattoo artist of Waterloo district, Ewarton, St Catherine was charged with wounding with intent, unauthorised possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition following an incident on February 7.

Reports from the Half-Way Tree police are that about 9:40 p.m., Cole pounced upon the complainant on Bryce Hill Road in Kingston 6 and opened gunfire at him, hitting him in both legs. The gunfire was returned and Cole was also shot and injured. Both injured parties were transported to hospital where they were admitted. Two firearms - a Taurus pistol and a Beretta 9mm pistol and a magazine containing thirteen rounds of ammunition were removed from the scene and subsequently seized. Cole was later charged after a question and answer interview was conducted. The other party was admitted under police guard pending further investigations.

Also in St Andrew, a 36-year-old mechanic has also been hit with firearms charges. Marlon McKreith, of Barbican Road, Kingston 6, has been charged with shooting with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon, accessory after the fact, misprision of a felony and malicious destruction of property, following an incident on Beechwood Avenue in Kingston 5 on February 26.

Reports from the Half-Way Tree police are that about 11:25 p.m., the driver of a Toyota Probox motor car went to a petrol station in the area where he stopped behind a Hyundai motor car driven by McKreith with two other men aboard. An argument developed between McKreith and the man in the other vehicle, during which a shot was fired that damaged the left rear panel of the Probox. McKreith was subsequently arrested on March 17, during a police operation. He was later charged following a question and answer session in the presence of his attorney.

McKreith is set to appear before the court next Wednesday. Lawmen are continuing investigations to apprehend the co-accused of McKreith, one who is believed to be a licensed firearm holder.