[UPDATED] Teen killed in St James liquor mart

HOMICIDE detectives are probing deeper what was first thought to be an attempted robbery which ended in the death of a teen bandit and the critical wounding of another after it was discovered that neither of the alleged bandits were armed.

Yesterday morning two teenagers, identified as 14-year-old St Anthony’s College student Luke Williams and 18-year-old Claude Salandy, were both shot by the owner of a St James liquor mart.

Initial reports indicate that the two boys, both from East Dry River, stormed the liquor mart, announced a robbery and took an undisclosed amount of cash. But, it was reported, as they were about to escape with the loot, the owner drew his licensed gun and shot them both.

Police were alerted and the scene was cordoned off and processed. Police seized the gun the owner used to shoot the teens and watched CCTV footage from the store. Passers-by and onlookers were not sympathetic to the two shot teens. “They didn’t know he (the owner) don’t play,” said one onlooker.

“And they want to rob? That is what they get,” said another. “Well, is either those two are stupid for robbing a business first thing on a Monday morning, or someone told them they had the money from the weekend sales in the store still,” speculated a third.

While police were processing the scene, a group of people – presumably relatives of the shooting victims – arrived on the scene and began to weep. One woman held onto another and wept bitterly, while a young man in a white vest and blue three-quarter jeans had to be consoled by two other women. The man fell to the ground screaming “Jah! Rastafari!” as he wept. Newsday tried to talk to the weeping onlookers but they declined comment. During the investigation, crime scene investigators said they did not find any gun except for the one used to kill Williams and critically wound Salandy.

The owner of the bar was not taken into custody but was questioned at length on the incident. While he did not speak to the media, sources told Newsday that the businessman had been robbed several times over the decades of its existence. A newspaper report dating back to 2005 also revealed his son was kidnapped outside his business place.

In October that year, the owner’s 18-year-old son was sitting in a car outside the entrance, holding his daughter, when three men got out of a car, dragged him out of his car, and made off with him.

This story was originally published with the title "No guns found at liquor mart crime scene" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Police have said no guns were found on the alleged bandits who reportedly tried to rob a St James liquor mart earlier today.

Crime scene investigators found no guns except the owner's weapon, and are asking him further questions.

Initial reports said that at around 8.15 am two young men, one identified as Luke Williams, a 14-year-old St Anthony's College student who lives in East Dry River, and an 18-year-old from the same area identified as Claude Salandy, went into a liquor mart in St James and announced a robbery. The owner reportedly drew his gun and fired. Williams died at the scene and Salandy is in critical condition at hospital.

Police have reviewed CCTV footage of the incident and are investigating further.