Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has confirmed that criminals overseas and other individuals currently incarcerated in Jamaica were behind the mass shooting that claimed the lives of eight people in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, late Sunday.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force today revised the number of people who received injuries to 11. The total number of people shot was 19. So far, only one person has been treated and released from hospital.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday morning, Holness described the killings as an attack on every Jamaican and an act of terror. “We know that persons overseas are involved and connected in this act. We know that persons who are incarcerated presently have connections in this act. We know that multiple gangs are connected and involved in this act,” said Holness.
Holness vowed to hold those responsible accountable, stating, “Every gang, every person who in any way facilitated, provided the arms, or were involved and pulled the trigger themselves, we will find you … We will not treat this as another criminal act, we will treat this as an act of terror.”
In response to the violence, Holness announced an all-out “assault” on the gangs involved, as well as any gang operating in Jamaica.
“There is no way that eight persons can be killed in one incident in Jamaica and the state stands as if nothing happened… This must never happen again in Jamaica,” he declared.
Holness also revealed that the Jamaican government had supplied Washington with a list of 31 overseas-based criminals involved in local crimes, following his recent trips to the United States. He noted that cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice and other U.S. law enforcement agencies continues but did not provide further details on the matter.
Curfew imposed in sections of Clarendon
In the wake of the tragedy, a 96-hour curfew has been imposed across Central and Southern Clarendon, as well as Southern and Northern St. Catherine, where gangs are known to collaborate.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang provided further insights during the press conference, highlighting the ongoing efforts of security forces in the area. “This incident comes at a time when the security forces have been doing extensive work in these areas. In fact, in all the three police divisions there have been significant reductions in homicides,” Dr. Chang said.
He reported that Clarendon had seen a 39 percent reduction in homicides this year, attributing the improvement to the coordinated efforts of the security forces. Dr. Chang also acknowledged the trauma inflicted on the community, especially with the death of one child (seven years old) and the injury of another (one-year-old infant) in the attack.
“All elements of the security forces, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), supported by MOCA (Major Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Agency), will be mobilized, led by the police force in the areas identified. They will have the full support of the government,” Dr. Chang assured the public.
“We will find, apprehend, disrupt, and degrade the criminal gangs. The social support services of government will also be brought to bear in the relevant community of Cherry Tree Lane and across areas where the gangs have taken action to disrupt the lives of our citizens,” he added.
Read: 8 killed and several others injured in mass shooting in Clarendon, Jamaica
