Etana Says Relatives Targeted as Police Probe Augusta Town Killing

Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered with what appeared to be gunshot injuries to the head after a fire at a premises on Augusta Town Road in St. Andrew early Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Law enforcers said they went to the scene sometime after 3:15 a.m. following reports of a blaze. The Half-Way Tree Criminal Investigation Branch is handling the probe. The incident comes against reports of heightened tension in Augusta Town. Reggae singer Etana, whose given name is Shauna McKenzie, wrote on social media Saturday morning: "My relatives are under attack in Augusta Town, Kingston, Jamaica. They have taken a second person this morning. He is mentally ill and they have burnt my aunt's shop to the ground." Police have not confirmed whether the dead man is linked to the claims.

In another St. Andrew case, police say they have taken steps to prevent retaliation after Colleen Sonia Bernard, manager of the Papine Market and an employee of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, was shot dead Friday. ACP Michael Fibs said investigators are reviewing forensic material to determine the motive and identify anyone else involved. Police intelligence reportedly links Bernard to a relative described as a senior figure in the Mona Comm gang, raising fears of reprisal. Bernard was reportedly collecting fees about 3:50 p.m. when she was shot several times. An off-duty policeman challenged the attacker, who was later wounded near Hope Road by Hope Gardens. Police said a Taurus G2C firearm with a magazine containing nine 9mm rounds was recovered. Bernard died at hospital, while the suspect remains under guard.

In St. Catherine Parish Court, businessman Leroy Sharp was fined $500,000 or three months in prison after pleading guilty Friday to two counts of possessing gaming boxes without a licence under the BGLC Act. Charges related to providing technical services were withdrawn after the Crown offered no evidence.

Also in St. Catherine, Haitian national Sophonyi Gersante Gordon, who is charged with illegal entry, will return to court on December 1 after her matter was adjourned for immigration input. Her attorney, Dr. Marcos Goff, said she had married while on bail. The court also heard she is heavily pregnant and due by June 12, so daily police reporting was suspended until September 2026. Her $1 million bail remains.