A Negril businessman and his Italian wife were shot dead at their home in West End, Westmoreland, this morning.

The identities of those killed have not yet been released.

Head of the Westmoreland police, Superintendent Robert Gordon told Irie FM News, that investigators believe robbery was the motive.

He is appealing to anyone with information on the double murder, to tell the police what they know.

Meantime, Member of Parliament for Western Westmoreland, Dr. Wkeham McNeill has lamented, that this morning’s gruesome killings of a Negril businessman and his Italian wife, are indicative of government’s failure to curb crime, with the state of emergency.

The double murder occurred in West End – the well-known business and tourism hub of the area.

The couple reportedly lived on the same property from which they operated a craft shop, and restaurant.

Residents reportedly heard explosions, sometime after mid-night and called the police.

Investigators theorize, it was a case of a robbery gone bad.

Dr. McNeill said police have set-up traffic check points, as part of the probe into this morning’s double murder.

He said the SOE in Westmoreland has not been effective in curbing murders.

Dr. McNeill also raised concern with the spate of robberies across the parish.

He said members of the business community in west end are apprehensive, in the wake of the murders, and they are also concerned about the continued impact of crime and violence, on the tourism sector.