Police in Jamaica have claimed the murder of a 33-year-old British tourist was a “contract killing” by “unknown assailants”.
Sean Patterson, a personal trainer from west London, was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at around midday on Monday near the pool of his holiday accommodation in Bogue Hill, St James.
In a video statement on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey, who is in charge of the crime and security portfolio, said: “Our investigation so far has theorised that the murder was a contract killing that emanated from Britain.”
Mr Bailey went on to say Mr Patterson had arrived in Jamaica shortly before New Year’s Eve on December 29 with another man who was also from London. The pair had spent several days at an apartment before checking into the villa in Bogue Hill on New Year’s Day.
Later that day, the commissioner said, the two Brits had met up with a third man – from Kingston – who would be present when Mr Patterson was shot and killed.
All three men had stayed at the guest house in separate rooms and the following day at around noon, Mr Patterson and the Jamaican man had gone to the villa’s pool deck.
“(The Kingston man) reported that his back was turned to (Mr) Patterson when he heard several loud explosions (which) sounded like gunshots,” Mr Bailey said.
“He reported that he looked around and saw a lone man dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt with a handgun shooting (Mr) Patterson.”
The witness reportedly fled and hid in bushes.
Upon their arrival at the scene, police found the 33-year-old victim on his back in a “pool of blood” with “what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the upper-body and head”.
Mr Bailey added: “There is no evidence (Mr) Patterson was robbed.”
The commissioner concluded by saying local authorities were working with their international partners – including UK police – and were making “significant progress” in the case.
On Tuesday a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson confirmed to the PA news agency they were currently “supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities”.
