PM tours grief-stricken Linstead community following deadly gun attack

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness on Monday toured the community of Commodore in Linstead, St. Catherine and assured the residents that the Police High Command will track down those behind Sunday night's deadly gun attack in the area which left five people dead and four others wounded. 

 

Dr. Holness, Minister of National Security and Peace Dr. Horace Chang and Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake met with the residents and the families of the victims on Monday afternoon. 

 

The nine victims, including a four-year-old child, were shot when heavily armed men invaded a yard in Commodore and opened fire on the occupants. 

 

There was a sombre mood in the community when Radio Jamaica News visited the area on Monday. 

 

Relatives of the deceased cried openly as shock, pain, grief and even anger gripped the community. 

 

Prime Minister Holness described the attack as an act of "criminal terrorism", adding that he was certain the police force will respond in an appropriate manner to that level of criminality. 

 

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake made it clear that community members should not harbour the perpetrators, warning that those who chose otherwise would be putting their own safety at risk.  

 

The security forces are maintaining a presence in the community. 

 

Counselling will also be offered to the residents. 

 

Four-year-old Shannon Gordon, who resided at Orange Park in Charlemont, Linstead and was a student of Rosemount Primary and Infant School died in the attack. 

 

The other deceased are 22-year-old Famous Amos, a security guard of Commodore District, Linstead; 19-year-old Dushane Edwards; 39-year-old Leisha Washington, a vendor; and 42-year-old Mario Sullivan, all of Rosemount District, Linstead.

 

It was reported that about 8:45 p.m., several men posing as police officers went to a yard in Commodore and opened fire.

 

Opposition Spokesperson on National Security Fitz Jackson condemned the deadly shooting and called for residents to assist the police in finding the perpetrators. 

 

In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Mr. Jackson also called for the Police High Command to leave no stone unturned in tracking down those responsible.

 

"I extend my sincere sympathies to the families of the victims of their heartless and vicious slaughtering in Commodore, St. Catherine. While saddened by this action, we must deepen our resolve to apprehend all those responsible for this dastardly act and to bring them to justice in the shortest possible time. I also wish that everyone, anyone who has information that can lead to the capture of the persons responsible for those murders, to make that available to the security forces without undue delay," he appealed.

 

He added that urgent, elective and sustained action is required to reduce violent crime and restore a sense of security across Jamaica.

 

A 48-hour curfew has been imposed in Commodore, Banbury and Trinity in the Linstead area following the deadly attack. 

 

The curfew commences at 6 p.m. on Monday until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8.