Grief at Rosemount Primary after 4-y-o killed, another injured in Commodore shooting

Grief and shock have gripped Rosemount Primary and Infant School in St Catherine as two students were among the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting in Commodore, Linstead, St Catherine.

Five people were fatally shot and four others were injured.

Among the deceased is four-year-old Shannon Gordon, who attended the school.

An 11-year-old schoolmate, who is critically injured, is now battling for life in hospital.

It was also disclosed that Iysha Washington, a parent of another student at the school, was among those killed.

The other deceased have been identified as 42-year-old Mario Sullivan, 19-year-old Jushane Edwards and 22-year-old Famous Amos.

The attack has left students and teachers alike distraught.

Members of the Police High Command, led by Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips and Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, commanding officer for the St Catherine North Police Division, visited the institution on Monday morning.

The senior officers offered condolences and provided emotional support to teachers who were present to conduct online classes.

Principal Malaika Sinclair Bailey said the tragedy has deeply affected the entire school population.

“The news has shaken us to the core. Our students and staff are traumatised. Shannon was a bright, joyful child, and her passing leaves a painful void in our school family,” she said.

School board Chairman Bishop Courtney Golding echoed similar sentiments, noting that the incident has left both the school and the wider community in shock.

“This senseless act of violence has unsettled everyone. The community is tense and heartbroken,” Golding said.

According to police reports, Gordon was among nine people shot when gunmen, posing as police officers, invaded a premises commonly referred to as “Big Yard” on Sunday night.

The attackers, armed with high-powered weapons, opened fire indiscriminately on the group.

Five persons, including Shannon, were pronounced dead, while four others remain hospitalised — among them the 11-year-old Rosemount Primary student who continues to fight for life.

Phillips assured the school community that the police will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

- Ruddy Mathison

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