Coast Guard officer lured to gully, killed and burned in car

Coast Guard officer David Thompson was ambushed, stabbed, kidnapped, and left in a burning vehicle after being lured to Jack-In-The-Box Gully in St Thomas under false pretences, the No. 2A Supreme Court has heard.

Shaulon Rashidi Collymore, of Lakes Village, and Shaquille Jesse Romeo Goodridge, of Belleplaine Housing Area, both in St Andrew, pleaded guilty earlier this year to murdering Thompson between August 23 and 26, 2020. They were remanded to prison pending pre-sentencing reports. A third accused, Andre Ricardo Watson, also of Lakes Village, maintained his innocence and went to trial, but was found guilty by a jury.

Principal State Counsel Oliver Thomas, outlining the facts of the case, said Thompson was reported missing on August 24, 2020, by his girlfriend Rasheeda Cadogan. She told police that Thompson had left home around 5 p.m. the previous day, driving her vehicle, and had not returned.

Two days later, police discovered a burnt-out car in Ashford, St John. Human remains found in the back of the vehicle were later identified through items retrieved at the scene—a piece of chain, a belt buckle and part of a wristwatch belonging to Thompson.

Investigations revealed that Thompson had attempted to purchase a motorcycle from Collymore two years prior, paying $4,500. However, the vehicle was never delivered, as Collymore claimed that it was not working.

An agreement was reached that the funds he handed over would be used to fix the motorcycle, but this fell through, and Thompson demanded a refund. He only received $1 300.

The prosecutor outlined that when Thompson persistently continued to ask for the outstanding balance, Collymore got frustrated and formulated a plan to kill him, with Watson and Goodridge’s assistance.

He lured the victim to Jack-In-The-Box Gully, claiming his car had broken down and he had a chain to give him as partial repayment.

When Thompson arrived, he was ambushed, stabbed, and kidnapped. Two of the three accused transported him in the same car he had arrived in, with Collymore leading the way in a separate vehicle. They drove to a remote area in Ashford, where Thompson’s car was set alight with him still inside.

After investigations led to Collymore, he gave police a false account of his movements but later admitted to being involved.

In his second interview, he said he and Thompson were workmates and somewhat friends.

According to Collymore’s account, Watson sent Thompson a text informing him that Collymore’s car had broken down and they needed assistance. When Thompson arrived at the gully’s entrance, Collymore stated that the plan was revised, and Watson intended to rob Thompson. They got into Thompson’s car and drove with him to the area inside the gully where Collymore was parked. Collymore told police that when Thompson stopped his car, Watson pulled out a knife and stabbed him in his neck. Collymore then got out of his vehicle and left Watson and Thompson scuffling inside the motor car.

Collymore stated that after Watson realised that Thompson didn’t have any gold jewellery, he told him to find a place to take him. Collymore drove his car while Goodridge drove Thompson’s car with the deceased and Watson as passengers.

When they got to Ashford, Watson handed a cloth to Collymore and told him to wipe off the fingerprints from the vehicle, but Collymore said he didn’t get to do this as Watson took back the cloth and then told him to open the car’s gas tank. Collymore said he didn’t do this either, but saw the car go up in flames. He said it was possible that Thompson was still alive when the car was set on fire.

The prosecutor told the court that there were several contested facts, including the question of who stabbed Thompson. Collymore and Goodridge pointed fingers at Watson, while Watson blamed Collymore. Goodridge told police he participated in the plan to destroy the vehicle but did not set it alight, pointing to Watson and Collymore as the ones who did.

Collymore, on the other hand, said that he arrived at Ashford after Watson and Goodridge. When he got there, the two were already out of the vehicle, and the car soon after went up in flames.

Justice Elwood Watts has adjourned the matter until May 30. Collymore is represented by attorney Shadia Simpson, while Goodridge’s legal counsel is Marlon Gordon.