A 34-year-old man was believed to have been lured to his death in St James early yesterday morning when he was called “to come for a smoke.”
Police said just after midnight Nicholas “Froggy” Mitchell was found dead along a track at The Cocoa, Providence Estate, Bournes Road, St James. He and another man identified only as “Pacheco” were shot at around 10 pm on Saturday while walking through the track.
While Mitchell died at the scene, the other man spent seven and a half hours waiting for the authorities to find him. He was taken to hospital just before 6 am yesterday.
Residents reported hearing loud explosions but told police they were scared of venturing out of their homes to check. A man walking through the track stumbled upon the two men at around 5.30 am yesterday. He alerted the police who took the injured man to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Up to late yesterday, he was said to be a critical condition. Police said they believe Mitchell’s killing was a reprisal for the murder of Mark John, 27, in the same area on July 13.
A female relative, who did not give her name, said she strongly believes Mitchell was “put in place.”
“They wanted him dead.
“Yes, there were threats, which I cannot say why but all I know is that the relative of a murder victim called him out for his death.
“They called him and when he went that was it,” she said.
Asked if Mitchell was a suspect in several murders, the relative replied: “Yes, but what we are saying is that they put him in place and he not too long come out of jail too.”
An autopsy is expected to be conducted on Mitchell’s body today at the Forensic Science Centre.
Investigations are continuing.