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Investigators from the Major Investigations Division (MID) on Monday visited the scene of Sunday's deadly mass shooting in Commodore, Lindstead, St. Catherine, as the police seek to find clues behind the attack that has been linked to a gang conflict.
A police team also did a walkthrough of the area, which has been seeing fewer murders up to October when compared with last year.
Five persons, including a child, were fatally shot in Sunday's attack and four others injured.
The child, four-year-old Shannon Gordon, resided at Orange Park in Charlemont, Linstead.
She was a student of Rosemount Primary and Infant School.
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.
Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips, head of the Area 5 Police, says Sunday's shooting has pushed the number of murders in Linstead since the start of the year to 13, seven fewer than in 2024.
"The community of Linstead has been doing pretty well since this year. Last year this time, they were seeing something like 20-odd murders compared to just eight murders up to this point until we have this very unfortunate situation. The indicators so far are suggesting that this might be a continuation of gang conflict, which comes as a surprise to us because really and truly this year has been quiet for a while," he lamented.
ACP Phillips disclosed that the police had previously been called to the location to resolve conflicts.
"It's what we would refer to as a 'big yard' kind of setting - several houses within the confined space, really a family setting. Most persons were enjoying their Sunday afternoon. The interesting thing is that it's not a yard that is strange to the police because we've had reasons before to visit that location on numerous occasion. So we were aware of some of the longstanding issues and challenges that were impacting that particular family."
In the meantime, the administrators of Rosemount Primary and Infant School have revealed that three members of the school family were victims of Sunday's violence in Commodore.
Four-year-old Shannon Gordon was killed, along with Leisha Washington, parent of another student, while a grade six student was wounded.
During a visit by the police Monday morning, Principal Malika Sinclair Bailey appealed for an end to crime and violence in Jamaica.
"It's time for us to stop killing our children. And I have all confidence that the Jamaica Constabulary Force will do justly. We continue to support our staff as they're mourning. They were beautiful children. We all cry together at this time," said the principal.
Board chairman Bishop Courtney Golding said the incident in Commodore is a disgrace and must never be repeated.
"Four-year-old child murdered. It's wrong. It's wrong, it's ungodly, and it is not Jamaica," he declared.
In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr. Horace Chang has described Sunday's deadly violent attack in Linstead, St. Catherine as reprehensible.
Dr. Chang said the deliberate disregard for human life, especially the life of an innocent child, strikes at the very core of the nation's humanity.
He said the incident is being intensively investigated and the criminals will be relentlessly pursued, apprehended and prosecuted.
Dr. Chang added that the National Security Minister reaffirms its dedication to ensuring that justice is served and that every measure necessary is taken to restore calm and security to the people of Linstead and the wider parish of St. Catherine.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the government remains unwavering in its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and the conditions that fuel such acts of violence and terror.
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