Two men were reportedly assaulted by a group of residents in Junction, St Elizabeth, after they were accused of attempting to rob a small shop in the area. According to allegations, the incident unfolded when community members spotted the men behaving suspiciously near the establishment.
It is claimed that the pair were caught in the act while trying to take valuables, prompting residents to intervene and detain them on the spot. It is believed that a mob gathered and began physically attacking the two men.
A video, which has since surfaced online, captures portions of the incident. The clip, lasting just under a minute, shows both men seated on the ground in a dirt-covered area, surrounded by several individuals.
The footage suggests that the men had already been beaten prior to recording. One of the accused, wearing a white shirt, appears distressed and is heard urging the other to cooperate with those confronting them. The second man, who is shirtless, is visibly shaken and crying. Based on the limited context in the video, it appears that the first man blames the second for the alleged robbery attempt.
During the altercation, a man within the group is seen using a damaged blue barrel to strike both individuals multiple times. Voices in the background can be heard making threats, with some residents accusing the men of targeting a small business. The voices indicate that the men were not only strangers to the community but also far away from home, although their place of residence is unclear.
The residents also issued death threats against the suspects. At one point in the video, a voice is heard asking for matches, indicating that they intended to set the men on fire. The clip ends shortly after, with the confrontation still ongoing and threats continuing.
It is not immediately clear whether the men were later handed over to the police. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the matter.
