A man was stabbed to death during an altercation with a Manchester fruit vendor on Thursday afternoon. The fatal confrontation close to the New Green roundabout in Mandeville reportedly stemmed from a love triangle.
“The victim, known only by the alias ‘Kello’, was fatally stabbed around 3:00 p.m., according to the Jamaica Observer.”
According to initial police reports, the two men became involved in a heated exchange that quickly escalated. A knife was reportedly used during the confrontation, leaving Kello with fatal injuries. He was a resident of the Clarkes Town community, located just off New Green Road.
Eyewitnesses and fellow fruit vendors at the scene said that the conflict stemmed from a love triangle involving a woman, per the report. One of the vendors told the local media that the men had been feuding for months over the woman. The vendor also claimed that Kello previously worked as a fruit vendor in the area.
The witness alleged that Kello later attacked his rival, and wounded him. “You see the one weh dead him used to out here sell fruit too, but him lef and then all come here come chop the other one over wan woman,” he told Jamaica Observer. “A long time dem at it and this is how it end.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed or denied the allegation from the witnesses as officials continue to probe the incident. Jamaica Observer, citing a police report, said that while the police are treating the matter as a homicide, they have not ruled out the possibility of self-defence.
The incident marks the second murder in Manchester within a single day. Thursday morning was met with the shocking murder of 26-year-old dancer Brittania ‘Dhq Chicken’ Francis, who was shot and killed in the Richmond district when she was leaving a bar. Her death has sent ripples of grief through the dancehall community.