DARLISTON, Westmoreland — Pre-dawn calm in this rural town shattered Tuesday when gunmen abducted prominent car-dealer Gavin Myers, sparking unease across the close-knit community.
Investigators say the 43-year-old owner of Myers Auto Mart arrived at his lot about 6:30 a.m. after receiving what he believed was a routine business call. While an employee unlocked the gate, Myers stood beside his Audi on the Darliston main road. Armed assailants reportedly converged, forced him into their vehicle, and discharged a single round in the air before speeding off.
Residents, fearful of retaliation and unclear whether the kidnappers were criminals or persons posing as law-enforcement, spoke only under anonymity. “We’re stunned—things like this don’t happen here,” one longtime neighbour whispered, glancing toward the shuttered dealership. Another resident described Myers as “the first to sponsor any community project,” adding that his sudden disappearance has “rattled everybody from the schoolchildren to the shopkeepers.”
Police units and military personnel mounted snap checkpoints along key corridors linking Darliston to Savanna-la-Mar and neighbouring parishes. Senior investigators confirmed that a multi-agency hunt is under way but declined to share operational details. “Our priority is Mr Myers’s safe return and the swift apprehension of those responsible,” a spokesperson said.
As the search enters its second day, friends and relatives huddle at Myers’s residence, struggling to process the incident. “All we can do is pray and wait,” one family member remarked.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Savanna-la-Mar Police at 876-955-2758 or Crime Stop at 311.
