Illegal taxi operator killed

Investigators from the St. Andrew North Police Division are still trying to determine the motive for last night’s killing of an illegal taxi operator in Kingston 3.



The police say 42 year old Christopher Hawthorne was stabbed to death on Dukharan Avenue shortly after 10 p.m.



Deputy Superintendent of police, Altemorth Campbell, said information received so far indicates that Hawthorne was transporting two male passengers who stabbed him while he was driving.



DSP Campbell said the vehicle then crashed into a wall and the attackers escaped.



He says the police were called after residents reported hearing cries for help.



The taxi operator was later found lying outside the vehicle with stab wounds.



He was taken to hospital where he died while being treated.



The police have ruled out robbery as the motive.



A submachine gun and a 9 millimeter pistol were recovered in the Whitehall community in St. Andrew yesterday and this morning.



The police say a special team was on patrol along Whitehall Terrace around 10 a.m. yesterday when a man was seen with a gun.



The police said the man ran to a nearby premises where a bag with a submachine gun and 64 assorted rounds of ammunition were found.



A 34 year old woman and a 16 year old youth were taken into custody but have since been released.



Around 5 a.m. this morning, the police searched a house at 14 Whitehall Avenue where a 9 millimeter pistol with several rounds of ammunition was found.



Two men were arrested.



DSP Campbell said they are to be questioned and are likely to be charged later today.