The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is confirming it has arrested the principal of Hopewell High School in Hanover, as investigators intensify their probe into the murder of the school bursar Jermaine Roberts.

The JCF, in a media release late Thursday, advised that principal Byron Grant was taken into custody after being treated and released from hospital—as the senior administrator was also injured in the shooting that killed Roberts.

Police investigators say preliminary inquiries suggest the attack was brought on by “interpersonal conflict”.

According to initial reports, Roberts, a 35-year-old native of Pitfour, St James, was shot around 3:20 pm on Wednesday, December 20, as he was leaving the school premises.

“Roberts was attacked by an unidentified individual who witnesses described as approximately six feet two inches tall, wearing a floral ‘hoodie’. He was shot as he was leaving the school premises in
his vehicle,” the JCF statement indicated.

“During the incident, [the] school principal was injured and taken to the hospital. However, he has since been taken into police custody after being treated and released. This development comes as preliminary inquiries suggest the shooting may have stemmed from an interpersonal conflict,” it added.