Criminals overseas, behind bars involved in Clarendon mass killing - Holness
Published:Monday | August 12, 2024 | 12:48 PM
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Monday morning confirmed that criminal players from overseas and incarcerated persons were behind the mass killing of eight people in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, late Sunday.
Ten other people, including a one-year-old infant, were injured in the two separate shooting incidents which occurred approximately 8:45 p.m.
Holness, who was speaking at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, said the killings represent an attack on every Jamaican and every community.
He called it an act of terror.
“We know that persons overseas are involved and connected in this matter. We know that persons who are incarcerated presently have connections in this matter. We know that multiple gangs are connected and involved in this matter,” said Holness.
“Every gang, every person who in any way facilitated, provided the arms or were involved and pulled the trigger themselves; we will find you… We will not treat this as another criminal act, we will treat this as an act of terror,” he added.
Further, he disclosed that Kingston had supplied Washington with a list of 31 criminals based overseas who are directly involved in local crimes following his two trips to the United States.
He said he could not divulge too much on whether that move has resulted in favourable outcomes.
Acting Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey later confirmed to The Gleaner that at least one person was arrested and convicted in the US as a result.
Meanwhile, Holness said the National Security Council has given a directive to the security forces to launch an all-out assault on the gangs involved.
He said for too long, the country has played with gangs.
“There is no way that eight persons can be killed in one incident in Jamaica and the State stands as if nothing happened, no. Every gang member, every gang will feel the full force of the state today. This must never happen again in Jamaica,” he said.
- Kimone Francis
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