2 POLICEMEN IN CUSTODY IN MURDER INVESTIGATION
Tajay Simms was preparing to attend and participate in his stepfather’s wedding in St Ann on Saturday, January 27, when he got a call that took him to Ocho Rios where he was shot and killed.
The 30-year-old from Gayle St Mary was brought up by his stepfather Dwight Hodges who was getting married in Runaway Bay, on Saturday. Simms was with Mr Hodges and family members when he was called away by friends.
(See also the North Coast Times YouTube channel for the latest on Simms)
Tajay Simms, described by his stepfather as a hard worker, went along with his friends and a close relative, to Ocho Rios.
Reports are that they went to the Mother’s fast food outlet in Ocho Rios. At about 2 a.m., Mr Simms was in the line at the outlet when someone “cut the line” ahead of him. An argument developed between them. It turned physical and Mr Simms was reportedly held or “draped” by the collar. Other persons associated with the other man became involved.
As things got out of control with shouting and pushing, it was reported a knife was drawn. The man accused of cutting the line left the store went to his car and returned with a firearm.
Simms was shot in the chest.
The man and his friends left the store and drove away in a white Toyota Axio motorcar. People wrote down the licence (registration) number and gave it to the police, who came to the scene from the police station about four hundred yards away.
Simms was pronounced dead at hospital. A relative of his later notified Mr Hodges and other family members resting ahead of the wedding, about what happened.
Police who also had access to a store CCTV footage arrested two policemen and five civilians from communities in Gayle where Simms also lived. Police are still investigating and are questioning the men taken into custody.
Mr Hodges said he raised Tajay from when he was a small boy about three years old. He said Tajay Simms was a hard worker who did any work available to him. Asked by the North Coast Times about the death, he said, “I don’t feel good about it.”
Simms died leaving a child to mourn.
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POLICE REPORT
Here is how the police reported the incident in a release, January 28 — Editor
“Detectives assigned to the Ocho Rios Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) are probing the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of 30-year-old Kajay Simms of Bartley Town, Gayle, St. Mary who was shot and killed in Ocho Rios, St. Ann on Friday, January 26.
“Reports are that about 3:30 a.m., Simms was in the area when an argument developed with another man. It is alleged that the man used a firearm and opened gunfire at him. He made his escape into the area. The police were alerted, and on their arrival; Simms was seen lying in a pool of blood. He was taken to the hospital, where he died while being treated.
“Investigation continues.”
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