Chef charged with attempted murder

Thirty-five-year-old Ellio Powell, otherwise called 'Zakie,' a chef of North Cumberland Lane, Kingston 16, has been slapped with several charges following an incident on Wellington Street on October 19.

He has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, arson, malicious destruction of property with the use of a firearm, possession of prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition and carrying firearm and ammunition in public without authorisation. Reports from the Franklyn Town police are that at 4:20 a.m., a man was at his house along with three others when he heard explosions coming from outside. The man allegedly looked through the window where he saw Powell running along the roadway with a firearm, after which fire and smoke were seen emanating from beneath the front and back doors of the house. The occupants of the house reportedly tried to escape but were trapped by padlocked grilles. The police were summoned and upon their arrival, they broke the locks, and helped them to escape safely.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade was alerted and the blaze was extinguished. The cost of the damage is estimated to be approximately $1 million. Powell was subsequently arrested and charged. His court date is being finalised.