US commiserates with Ja over Clarendon slaughter

The United States Embassy in Kingston has described as “horrific” Sunday’s gun attack on a gathering in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, which left eight people dead and at least nine injured.

In a statement to The Gleaner yesterday, the embassy said it “strongly condemned the violence and abhorrent acts” such as the mass shooting in the rural community in Four Paths.

“[We] extend our deep condolences to the victims and the families impacted by this horrific crime,” said Michael Lavallee, spokesperson at the US Embassy Kingston.

Lavallee said the US and Jamaica work closely to combat organised crime and the high levels of violence, which are substantial barriers to national development and prosperity.

“Through a US multi-agency effort, we work with MOCA (Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency), JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force), FID (Financial Investigations Division), and other Jamaican agencies to collaborate, share information, and track and apprehend criminals involved in illicit activity in both the United States and Jamaica.

“While we will not discuss specific conversations or crimes under investigation, since 2023 the United States and Jamaica have collaborated on numerous extraditions and removals of Jamaican nationals suspected to be involved in criminal activity,” Lavallee said.

On Monday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his Government had supplied to Washington a list with 31 names of criminals in the North American country who are believed to be fuelling local crimes.

The names were shared during two separate visits by him to Washington, the prime minister said.

Holness confirmed that overseas players are believed to be behind Sunday’s incident.

He is expected to give the nation an update today on the progress made by the security forces in their efforts to apprehend the killers behind Sunday’s attack.

Yesterday, the Jamaica Council of Churches said it was saddened and distressed by the fact that among those killed was a seven-year-old child, women and the elderly.

The council said the criminality that was perpetrated in this incident marks a new nature and level of callousness, horror and terror.

“We offer our sincere sympathies to the relatives of the deceased and the members of the community, and extend our prayers for comfort at this time of inestimable grief and loss and for the full recovery of those who have been wounded,” it said.

It condemned the attack, noting that the value of human life, which it said the scripture declares, is made in the very image of God.

“There is no doubt that this incident has further traumatised a community that has seen disruption in the past and apparently was under the observation of the security forces.

“It is our hope that avenues will be created by the churches and social service providers to offer the psychosocial and spiritual support that will assist those who have been so viciously victimised,” it said, at the same time urging those victimised and aggrieved to refrain from reprisals and allow the state, through the work of the police and the courts, to address “this grievous act of violence”.

Further, the council said it will continue to encourage and support the Government in its continued engagement of all of the avenues that will bring meaningful reductions in crime and violence in Jamaica.

The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica described the gun attack as brutal and said it is a stark reminder of the grave threat that crime continues to pose to the safety and well-being Jamaicans and the progress of Jamaica.

The business group condemned the incident and extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com