Fleeing suspect jumps into water tank

A St Ann man who is suspected of being involved in the death of his spouse had to be pulled from a water tank after he tried to elude lawmen on Monday.

Kevan Shirley of Parry Town was being sought by the police in connection with the death of 44-year-old hospital attendant Cameka Haley. According to the police's Corporate Communications Unit, Haley was last seen alive by her son on Thursday, January 25. Reports are that she had an altercation with Shirley at her residence. Haley's son discovered her body on Saturday morning and alerted the police. Upon their arrival, they found Haley lying on her back on the floor, dressed in a nightgown and displaying noticeable black and blue marks on her neck and spots of blood on her clothing.

On Monday, the police conducted a search operation in Higgins Land for Shirley, who, in an unexpected turn, reportedly ingested a corrosive substance before leaping into a concrete water tank. In a video that is circulating on social media, a heavy breathing Shirley tearfully said, "Dem [ago] kill me", before adding "A nuh spite."

Despite reassurances from members of the law enforcement team of their intent to engage in dialogue to calm him, Shirley continued on his rant,.

"Mi neva lick her yet," he said.

"She pop off mi chain and mi deh in a di bathroom and mi a bathe. Mi come out and she even come in deh wid spoon a lick me and mi a tell her seh stop. All mi a tell her stop," he said.

Shirley was eventually extricated from the water tank with the aid of nearby residents and transported to the St Ann's Bay Hospital. He is currently admitted in serious but stable condition. Following the incident, citizens from the Marley community gathered at the hospital, resulting in additional police reinforcements being deployed to manage the situation. The crowd was addressed and dispersed without further incident.

According to the police, Haley's death is still classified as undetermined, pending further inquiries.