Several suspects detained after mass shooting at wake in St. Catherine

By Racquel Porter   

 

Several people have been detained as the St. Catherine North Police launch a manhunt for those behind Wednesday morning's mass shooting at a wake in Point Hill, St. Catherine.

 

One person was killed and seven others shot and wounded in the attack, which occurred sometime after midnight.

 

Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, head of the St. Catherine North Police, said people were at a wake for the grandmother of reggae artiste Christopher Martin when gunfire rang out.

 

"It is alleged that two men open gunfire at persons attending the wake. Eight persons were injured, seven on location at the wake, while another man received gunshot wounds just a little bit down the road from where the wake was being held. The man who received injuries down the road, he succumbed to his injuries. The other seven persons were taken to the hospital where they were treated."

 

The injuries of the seven wounded people are not considered life-threatening.   

 

O'Neil Spencer, a 34-year-old farmer from the community, was killed.

 

Superintendent Nicholson said investigations revealed that a dispute involving people in the community led to the shooting.

 

He appealed for people who may have disputes to "try to find amicable ways of dealing with it and not resort to violence". 

 

In a post to his Instagram account, entertainer Christopher Martin condemned the shooting, and also expressed sympathy for the families of those affected. 

 

Meanwhile, in light of the shooting, Superintendent Nicholson said no permits will be issued for the holding of events in the community for the remainder of the week, and any further permits will be granted on a case-by-case basis after a police assessment. 

 

He said no permit had been granted for the wake.   

 

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang told Radio Jamaica News that several suspects have been detained in connection with the early morning shooting.

 

He noted that one of the two suspected shooters has been arrested.

 

According to the minister, the shooting may have been linked to an internal gang feud over the sharing of funds garnered through lottery scamming. 

 

"An individual was identified going to this big wake.... When he was seen, two of the members who were upset with him, went after him. The young man ran into the crowd for protection, but they kept firing at him. He was killed," Dr. Chang reported. 

 

He also lamented that the police were not informed that the event would be held.