The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is on the hunt for gunmen who masqueraded as policemen on Sunday night, ambushing and killing five people and injuring four others in Linstead, St. Catherine.
One of the victims, Shannon Gordon, was a 4-year-old student of the Rosemount Primary and Infant School who resided in Orange Park, Charlemount, Linstead. The minor was reportedly shot several times.
The other deceased victims have been identified as ‘Famous Amous’, a 22-year-old security guard from Commodore; 42-year-old Mario Sullivan; 19-year-old Jushane Edwards; and 39-year-old vendor Lysha Washington, all of whom resided in the Rosemount district in Linstead. According to reports, the victims were in an area in the Commodore community known as ‘Big Yard’ when the incident occurred.
Before the day of the shooting, the police reportedly had to visit the area on numerous occasions for various reasons. Reports state that at approximately 8:45 p.m. yesterday, men armed with high-powered weapons and dressed in police fatigues entered the compound where the group was playing games. The assailants reportedly shouted “police!” upon entry and then opened fire on the group.
Nine people were hit during the gunfire, five of whom were subsequently pronounced dead at the hospital, while four were admitted for treatment. Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area 5, Christopher Phillips, has described the gunmen’s use of police clothing as worrying. He also shared that some of the force’s top investigators are currently probing the shooting.
“The men parading as law enforcement officers pose a worrying sign… We have a team of top investigators working to put the pieces together to determine what triggered such an awful incident,” Phillips said.
Phillips added that there are indications that the incident may be the result of a continuation of a gang conflict in the area.
