KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A seven-year-old primary school student is among eight people shot and killed when gunmen opened fire in separate gun attacks at Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon on Sunday night.
Media reports said that the first attack took place at a car wash at around 8:45 pm (local time) when people had gathered for a birthday celebration.
The reports said that gunmen drove up to the area and fired upon the people who ran in different directions. However, four people were killed instantly and three others pronounced dead at hospital.
Those killed have been identified as 27-year-old cosmetologist, Kavel Daley, 50 year-old construction worker, Lawrence Francis, 20-year-old cashier, Diamond Bennett, and seven-year-old Aiden Bartley, a student of Four Path Primary.
In addition, Errol Stewart, a 58-year-old butcher; Jermaine Boothe alias “Blacks,” Courtney Messam alias “Dummbie,” and a woman identified only as Margaret, were also shot and killed.
Deputy Commissioner of police Fitz Bailey says the incident borders on terrorism, and that the shooting was done to instill fear and intimidate the community.
“We are at an early stage of our investigation. The scene is currently being processed, consequently I will not say much more but we promised this country and this nation that we will get to the bottom of this and those responsible will face justice,” DCP Bailey told reporters on Sunday night.
“The police [are] committed to ensure that justice is done and we are using all our resources to ensure that the perpetrators are found and face justice,” he added.
The National Security Council (NSC) began an emergency meeting on Monday, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness saying that the police have been told that no stone should be left unturned in bringing to justice the perpetrators of the crime.
“I condemn this reprehensible, brutal and senseless attack which resulted in several people in Clarendon being killed. I extend my deepest condolences to all families who are affected by this tragedy. I have spoken to the Police High Command and advised that all efforts must be extended to bring the perpetrators to justice, as quickly as possible,” Holness said, adding “the Jamaican State will not countenance such savagery being meted out to our people. We will respond strongly”.
National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang said the authorities believe the attack may be connected to reprisal activities from a few years ago.
“I urge the police to utilise every available resource and power to apprehend the perpetrators swiftly.”
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