Jamaica Declares State of Emergency in Clarendon Following Deadly Shootings
Jamaican soldiers conduct surveillance operations, Aug. 15, 2024. Photo: X/ @JDFSoldier
August 15, 2024 Hour: 8:34 am
‘Those responsible will face justice,” vowed Deputy Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey.
On Wednesday, the National Security Ministry declared a state of emergency in the southern Clarendon parish following a series of deadly shootings on Sunday night.
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Eight people, including a seven-year-old boy, were killed in separate gun attacks on Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon on Sunday night.
Gunmen opened fire at a car wash where a group of people were gathering to celebrate a birthday. Five people died at the scene from the gunfire, and three others died in hospital. The victims, including several women, range in age from 7 to 58.
The shooting “borders on terrorism” and was carried out to “instill fear and intimidate the community. We are at an early stage of our investigation. We promise this nation that we will get to the bottom of this and that those responsible will face justice,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey.
“I extend my deepest condolences to all the families affected by this tragedy. The State of Jamaica will not tolerate such savagery being inflicted on our people. We will respond firmly,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who described the attack as “brutal and senseless.”
While authorities have not provided further details on possible motives for the attack, National Security Minister Horace Chang indicated that the incidents could be linked to gang retaliation.
Currently, Jamaica ranks first in the world in terms of victims of lethal violence, with a rate of 53.3 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. In mid-July, however, Holness reported that there had been a downward trend in crime and violence in his country during the first half of the year, compared to the same period in 2023.
Holness detailed that there was a 14.5 percent decrease in murders, a 2 percent decrease in the number of shootings and a 15 percent decrease in robberies.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: Xinhua – EFE