The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have identified the man killed on Monday while attempting to rob John Chea #8 as 25-year-old Jose Murphy.

Murphy, of Bellot Road off Carmicheal Road, was shot and killed by a security guard around 1pm after a shoot-out in the parking lot.

He is suspected by police to have robbed the nearby New Oriental Cleaners at gunpoint “just minutes before” his attempt on John Chea #8. Employees there believe he was the same man who targeted the food store just four days earlier.

Witnesses said Murphy, armed with a shotgun, came into John Chea and sent employees and shoppers fleeing in terror after he fired a shot into the ceiling and demanded cash.

Supt Paul Rolle said three cashiers were robbed before the gunman “drew the attention of the security guard on duty” who engaged him outside the store.

“There was an exchange of gunfire resulting in the suspect being fatally shot,” Supt Rolle said, noting that employees and customers inside the store were left “visibly shaken” by the ordeal.

Investigations are continuing in that matter.

Meanwhile, Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating three 
men responsible for two separate armed robberies on Tuesday.

The first incident occurred around 6.45pm at a convenience store on Polehemus Street off Nassau Street.
Police say two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, robbed the store of an undetermined amount of money.
The men escaped in a dark car believed to be a Honda.

The second incident occurred around 7pm outside a business on East Street north, near Gibbs Corner. 
Police say a woman getting in her car was approached by a man wearing dark clothes, a black hooded jacket and carrying a handgun.

She was robbed of her handbag containing an undisclosed amount of money.

Her attacker fled on foot, heading down Flint Street.

Active investigations into both matters continue, police say.