Police hunt for more suspects in Cherry Tree Lane massacre

By Clinton McGregor    

 

Head of the Clarendon Police Superintendent Shane McCalla says the police continue to pursue those behind the August 11 Cherry Tree Lane massacre.

 

Eight people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed when armed men invaded the community.

 

Two of the main suspects have since been charged.

 

The government has also established a $25 million fund to offer rewards for information that can assist the investigations.

 

A State of Public Emergency has been imposed in the parish.

 

Superintendent McCalla provided an update on the case.

 

"Since the start of the SOE, we have been pursuing a number of other persons outside of the two persons that have been charged, and that operation is ongoing. And we expect that during the pursuit, that other persons related to this tragic incident will be caught and brought justice in short order. So we just want to reassure the public that we are continuing the hunt for these men, whether they're in Clarendon or they're outside the borders of the parish," he declared.

 

A man was fatally shot in Clarendon on Thursday during the intensified operations.

 

Superintendent McCalla has urged suspects not to engage the police when confronted.

 

"I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to persons who choose to engage in criminal activities and when we go after them, which we will, and they then decide to engage the police in a gunfight; I want to tell you that there can be only one outcome and I'm asking persons to cooperate," pleaded the senior cop.