The Jamaican Government has set up a $25 million fund to incentivize the sharing of information or intelligence that could aid in the investigation of the mass killing of eight people in the Cherry Tree Lane community in Four Paths, Clarendon, which occurred on Sunday.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the fund during a Wednesday morning press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Calling Sunday’s shooting “an act of terror” that demands a strong response, the prime minister emphasized the need to erode gang activity by encouraging citizens to provide information. “It is the information that will dismantle the gangs’ networks and eliminate their ability to operate within the community,” he stated.
The Ministry of National Security will manage the fund, with a particular focus on Sunday’s violent incident.
Of the $25 million, $6 million is earmarked for credible information and intelligence leading to the arrest and charging of those involved in the killings, with up to $1 million available per person.
An additional $5 million is allocated for information that assists in the investigation, arrest, and charging of those who facilitated the crime, with up to $1.5 million per person.
“We are particularly interested in identifying the facilitators and organizers—the individuals who provided weapons, access to vehicles, coordinated logistics, made phone calls, or established connections,” Holness said.
He also noted that $4 million is designated for information leading to the recovery of the firearms used in the killings, while another $5 million is allocated for securing evidence against the gangs involved.
Finally, $5 million is set aside for information leading to the arrest and charging of anyone harboring the criminal gangs or their associates, with up to $800,000 available per person identified.
“This $25 million fund is designed to accelerate the flow of information crucial to the investigation,” Holness added.
Information that could aid the investigation can be submitted via Crime Stop at 311, the police emergency number 119, the National Intelligence Bureau tip line 811, 888 MOCATIP (6622-847), or the Jamaica Defence Force tip line at 876-837-888.
The police have already arrested five people in connection with the killing. An illegal firearm has also been seized.
The prime minister also stressed that any other method of submitting information is acceptable, as long as it reaches the Ministry of National Security with the relevant details.
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