Charges laid against businesswoman allegedly behind deadly attack on St James policeman and his family

August 20, 2025

A St James businesswoman and a Westmoreland plumber have been charged for their alleged role in the deadly gun attack on a policeman and his family along the Reading main road, Montego Bay, St James on August 9.

Charged are 38-year-old Trafficia Malcolm-Demontagnac, otherwise called 'Traff', of Catherine Hall, St James, and 23-year-old Kadean Nathan, of Bethel Town, Westmoreland.

They are charged with murder, wounding with intent, using a prohibited weapon to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit wounding with intent and conspiracy to use a prohibited weapon to commit a felony.

Another accused man, 24-year-old Orlando Thomas, was killed in a confrontation with the police on August 13.

Malcolm-Demontagnac is believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, which left 36-year-old Latoya Stephenson dead. While a policeman who is reportedly attached to the Area One Lottery Scam Task Force, and a child were shot and injured.

Reports are that at 8:45 p.m., Stephenson and her family drove to a location in the vicinity of the Elevate Nightclub & Lounge in Reading to collect a key from Thomas. Nathan drove Thomas to the location afterwhich Stephenson exited her vehicle and retrieved the key. On her way back to her family's vehicle, Thomas allegedly brandished a firearm and opened fire hitting Stephenson, the policeman and the child.

The trio were assisted to hospital where the woman was pronounced dead while the others were admitted.

Following investigations, Malcolm-Demontagnac was arrested during a police operation on Wednesday, August 13 during an operation in Burnt Ground,Ramble, Hanover.

While Nathan later turned himself in on August 16.

Three days later both were charged after giving caution statements.

A court date is being arranged.

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