‘Chembe’ of Bambo Ridge charged with murder of Old Harbour man

Twenty-nine-year-old Travis Sawyers otherwise called ‘Chembe’ of Bamboo Ridge District, St. Catherine was charged with murder, conspiracy to murder, wounding with intent, shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition following an intelligence-led operation on October 28, 2020. The charges relate to the murder of Teno Smith of Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

Bambo Ridge is approximately seven miles north of Old Harbour town square.

Reports from the Portmore police are that on May 23, 2015, Smith and two other men agreed to meet Sawyers at premises in Barton’s St Catherine to purchase an illegal gun.

However, the transaction went awry when Smith was attacked by Sawyers and his cronies, robbing him of the cash agreed for the purchase. Smith was shot and killed on the spot, while one of the men who accompanied him was shot and injured. The injured man was taken to the hospital, where he recovered, while the other man escaped unhurt.

Sawyers and two of his cronies then wrapped the body in a tarpaulin and dumped it in bushes.

Smith’s body was found the next day by passers-by who informed the police.