Jamaica's Government Offers Reward Leading to Arrest of Those Involved in Weekend Mass Shootings

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica's government is offering a two-million-dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible for Sunday night’s mass shooting in Commodore, Linstead that left five people including a four-year-old school child, dead.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness meeting with relatives and family members of those killed on Sunday nightNational Security and Peace Minister Dr. Horace Chang, made the announcement during a visit to the community, where a 48-hour curfew has been imposed ending at 6.00 pm (local time) on Wednesday.

Chang described the act as “reprehensible,” expressing sympathy for the grieving families and vowed justice.

He has assured that the police are pursuing the perpetrators and urged citizens to unite against violence.

The police say during the hours of the curfew, persons within the boundaries of the curfew are required to remain indoors unless otherwise authorised by the person in charge of enforcing the curfew

Police said that nine people were shot and that Shannon Gordon, a student of Rosemount Primary and Infant School, was among those killed.

The lawmen said that several men, some reportedly wearing police-style vests, descended on the premises along Commodore main road, shouting “police,” before opening fire on those in the yard.

The police have named the others killed as Mario Sullivan, 42, Jushane Edwards, 19, Iysha Washington, 39, a vendor, and  22-year-old security guard Famous Amos.

The police said that the location where the shootings took place, is not unfamiliar to them, having been visited on multiple occasions in the past due to “long-standing issues and challenges”.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who visited the community south east of here, said he wanted to “personally express to the family members my own personal, sincere and deep condolences on this very tragic incident.

“I am hoping for the speedy recovery of those who were injured in this gruesome unwarranted attack. I am also here to assure the families and loved ones of the victims that the Jamaican state and government will support them through this very difficult time,” Holness said.

Jamaica has recorded 522 murders for the period January to October 4, as compared with 883 for the same period, according to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The figures show a 40.9 per cent decline in murders in the country.