FOOTBALL TERROR

Three persons were killed and six wounded in a daring gun attack on an in-house football match at the Jamaica Broilers playing field in Spring Village, Old Harbour, Sunday afternoon.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey described the drive-by, committed by men travelling in a white Toyota Mark X motor car and a Nissan Tiida, as an act of terror.

While the football match was in progress, one man reportedly alighted from the Toyota Mark X and opened fire at the crowd, some of whom are employees of poultry producer Jamaica Broilers.

It is reported that after the gunman shot his intended target, identified as Jerome Squire, who was allegedly tied to an illegal firearm that had gone missing, he continued to fire at the crowd.

One woman is reported to be among the dead.

The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m.

“I don’t see this as normal. We talk about domestic terrorism; this is domestic terrorism,” Bailey, who oversees the crime portfolio, said.

The senior crime fighter said that while the Government sought to toughen legislation against criminals, incidents such as the Spring Village field attack required a strong response from the police.

Meanwhile, public relations and marketing manager at Jamaica Broilers, Danah Cameron, said the company was saddened by the deadly shooting.

“Our condolences go out to the families of those who have experienced loss of loved ones. The matter is being investigated by the police and we trust that justice will be served,” she said in a statement.

This incident is the 15th murder of more than one person since the beginning of September.

Nationally, murders have soared 7.2 per cent year-on-year, up to September 14, with 1,089 persons killed. That is 73 more than the 1,016 murdered for the corresponding period in 2021.

Murders in St Catherine South, where the Spring Village attack occurred, have fallen year-on-year by nearly 16 per cent to 103.

One hundred and twenty-two people were murdered up to September 14 last year.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com