In the northern Jamaican parish of St Mary, a violent assault on a vulnerable homeless elder has ended with one juvenile suspect in police custody, as law enforcement continues a manhunt for a second attacker. The case dates back to the early hours of April 1 this year, when emergency responders were dispatched to the Port Maria Market area following a disturbing report: a 70-year-old man had been found lying unconscious on the ground, suffering from a critical head wound.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim bleeding heavily from a deep blunt-force injury to his skull. Emergency medical teams immediately transported him to the local Port Maria Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to the larger Kingston Public Hospital to receive specialized, ongoing care. Police confirmed that forensic and medical examinations matched the victim’s wounds to blunt force trauma consistent with being struck by a hard object.
Two weeks after the attack, on April 14, 2026, Jamaican law enforcement captured the 16-year-old suspect during a targeted operation. Per Jamaican legal protections for minors, the teen’s name and other identifying details have not been released to the public. The suspect was questioned in the presence of his legal representation, and during that interrogation, he openly admitted his role in the assault. According to official police statements, the teen confessed that he and an unidentified accomplice attacked the elderly man while he slept near the market, beating him with a wooden board. Two days after his arrest, on Thursday, the juvenile was formally charged with wounding with intent.
Investigations remain active as the St Mary Police division works to track down and arrest the second suspect who has not yet been taken into custody. Local authorities have issued a public appeal for any community member with information related to the attack, the suspect’s identity, or his current whereabouts to come forward. Tips can be submitted directly to the Port Maria Police station via two dedicated phone lines at 876-994-4222 or 876-333-9530, or anonymously through Jamaica’s Crime Stop hotline at 311.
Shortly after the assault occurred, Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Local Government Minister, publicly condemned the unprovoked attack on the homeless man. McKenzie called for full collaboration between the Jamaican public and law enforcement to ensure both attackers are quickly apprehended and held accountable for their actions.