Headlines:
| Bombing in St. Thomas |
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| Tuesday, 17 June 2008 | |
The police high command has ordered an investigation into
a car bombing in Morant Bay, St. Thomas
around 1pm Tuesday which has left two women injured.The two women were walking past a business establishment when a device which was planted under the owner's car exploded. The explosion caused panic in Morant Bay, forcing the police to cordon off a section of the town. The police have not officially released any information on the incident, but sources close to the case told RJR News that the incident could be called a terrorist type attack. Information obtained by our news centre revealed that the attack was aimed at an businessman who operates a store in Morant Bay. It is understood that about 7am Tuesday, the businessman received a call from persons who demanded $500,000. The persons threatened to bomb the businessman's home, business and car if he refused to pay over the money. Later in the day, the businessman received a text message in which someone demanded US$6,000. The person identified himself as Abdullah Akbar. The businessman later received a call from someone who told him to go to his vehicle and collect something from under it. The businessman reportedly sent someone to check out the vehicle, but the person did not find anything strange. About 1pm, a loud explosion was heard in front of the store. Our sources said an explosive device was planted under the businessman's vehicle. The device did not cause any significant damage to the vehicle, but it injured two women who were walking past the vehicle. Scenes of crime personnel and detectives from the Morant Bay, CIB are probing the incident. The injured women have been taken to hospital. |