Lamar Myers charged with murder of Old Harbour pastor

The 27-year-old construction worker, a resident of the 'Africa' enclave in Burke Road, Old Harbour, was charged on Friday following a question-and-answer session conducted in the presence of his attorney. Myers now faces multiple charges, including four counts of murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and using a prohibited weapon to commit a felony.

According to police reports, around 8:00 p.m. on the night of the incident, Spencer was at his vending stall in Lincoln Plaza, Old Harbour, when he was ambushed and shot multiple times, including a fatal shot to the head. The lone gunman then fled the scene on foot.

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The attack occurred just 10 meters from the Old Harbour Police Station, despite the area being under a 48-hour police curfew at the time.

Following the fatal shooting, detectives launched an intensive investigation to determine the motive behind the killing. Inspector Carl Morris, chief detective at the Old Harbour Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), stated that after two weeks of relentless investigative work, they made a major breakthrough, leading to Myers' arrest and subsequent charges.

Myers, a known figure on the police radar, has been linked to several murders in Old Harbour, noted Inspector Morris.

Prior to his arrest, he had turned himself in after being named among eight ‘persons of interest’ by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tryoville Haughton, head of operations at the St. Catherine South Police Division, during a media briefing.

Inspector Morris declined to disclose further details at this stage but confirmed that investigators believe Spencer was the target of a contract killing.

Spencer, 41, was a former gang leader from Gordon Pen, Spanish Town, with a feared reputation in the criminal underworld. However, about seven years ago, he claimed to have had a spiritual awakening, renouncing his past and dedicating his life to Christ. Despite his transformation, sources close to the investigation suggest that Spencer’s criminal past had left him with many enemies, making him a target for revenge.

With suspicions that others may have been involved in orchestrating Spencer’s murder, Inspector Morris assured that the police would continue to aggressively pursue all leads.

Myers, who previously served time in a juvenile correctional facility for shooting with intent at the age of 14, is set to appear in court on February 13.