Belnavis Remains Hospitalised After Being Chopped at Beachfront Property

Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis, spent his second night in hospital on Wednesday after being attacked at one of his properties on Tuesday.

He sustained multiple wounds, including to his head.

On Wednesday, it emerged that relatives and political operatives close to the mayor were considering moving him overseas as the wounds to the head are worse than initially claimed.

Robian Williams reports.

Mayor Michael Belnavis was admitted to hospital Tuesday afternoon after he complained of dizziness and discomfort, hours after he had been treated and released from St. Ann’s Bay Hospital.

In addition to wounds to his head, Mr. Belnavis also received chop wounds to his hand and arm.

Sources have been giving Nationwide News details about the attack at an unoccupied beachfront villa the mayor owns near Boscobel, St Mary.

Mr. Belnavis went to the property at 11 Monday night and saw a man sitting in the living room watching television.

The man was known to him and had previously been chased from the property by Mr. Belnavis.

Belnavis scolded the man and demanded he should leave. However, in response, the man reached for a machete on the floor and attacked Belnavis, inflicting at least three chop wounds.

Belnavis discharged his firearm once. The man was hit in his chest but was still coming at Belnavis, whose gun jammed.

With blood streaming down his face, Mayor Belnavis fled to his car and drove more than 20 miles to the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, where he was treated.

Police say they picked up a man, suffering from a gunshot wound, on the road close to the scene of the attack.

The man would not give them any information about what happened to him.vThey later identified him as the main suspect in the attack on Mr. Belnavis.

He is in police custody.

Senior police sources close to the investigation told Nationwide News that they have issues with motive and some details in the case.

However, they said they would not comment at this time.

Meanwhile, Junior Spokesman on Security and Defence, Jouvaughnie Byfield, says the attack on Mayor Belnavis highlights the ongoing need for decisive action to address crime.

Jouvaughnie Byfield, Junior Opposition Spokesman on Security and Defence.