They lit a bonfire last Friday evening, hoping its flame – if even symbolically – would burn the ghastly memories of two Sundays ago when their lives changed forever.
Eighteen persons were shot, eight of them killed, among them fellow residents and friends, in the two-location mass shooting in Four Paths, Clarendon. Now, their community is marred by the bloodiest gun attack in Jamaica’s history.
So they threw everything: from the slippers of the dead, to clothing, paraphernalia, and anything else that reminded them of the ill-fated night.
Everything had to go, including their pain, so some screamed the victims’ names as the flames crackled close to where one of their own was sprawled dead. It was a unity and empowerment vigil, though some among them cried privately in corners.
Still some, mainly men, and mainly silent, drowned their grief and tears in opened bottles of liquor, all the time puffing on ganja spliffs or cigarettes.
It was part of their healing process, though many among them knew healing would be long in coming, especially with fears, grief, and tension still high in Cherry Tree Lane and several adjoining communities.
“We have to come together, man. We have to come together. That’s the only way we can get over this! ‘Cause they have to know that good things can come from Cherry Tree Lane,” said one resident, as support groups ranging from the Church to social-intervention teams milled about the area offering their services.
They were well received, as shoulders to cry on were still very much needed, as openly residents consoled each other, sobbing as the flames roared higher.
“How did this happen? Why?” one woman cried, clutching her head amid the gathering buttressed from outside interference by a heavy influx of police and soldiers who watched from the periphery.
By now, the memorial buttons emblazoned with the faces of the deceased had been printed and were in heavy demand.
Some attendees were transported to the location by the police, while others drove from Havannah Heights and other nearby communities from which some of the victims left to attend the ill-fated bingo/birthday party.
As they gathered, they committed to working with the police to secure their communities; and so, too, did members of the security forces, who promised to do their duties with honour and diligence.
“I just want you to know that we feel everything. I came here that night and the images are real. Everything was real. So what you see us doing here right now is not just policing because it is our job; we are policing because we feel it,” affirmed Acting Senior Superintendent Shane McCalla as he addressed the grieving residents.
“The community is going to go through a period of mourning and healing; and it is going to take time. We are here for the long haul and we are here to do whatever, from our standpoint, to ensure that we bring back to the community that feeling of safety,” he said. “There should be nowhere in Jamaica where people cannot come out in front of your yard, and basically, this is the front of your yard, and we don’t want people living in fear.”
McCalla, who is the head of the Clarendon Police Division, told residents it is time for them to rally around each other, forget the blame games, and take comfort in the fact that in two weeks, sleuths have already apprehended several suspects and are following a number of leads to bring all persons involved to justice.
“We have certain information, but you know seh in order to ensure that we work and connect the dots more, we still need the community to work with us. We don’t want anybody to see it as ‘them’ against ‘us’, or ‘we’ against ‘you’. We are dealing with oneness right here,” said the commanding officer.
In the meantime, Alwin Forbes, acting Jamaica Defence Force area commander for Clarendon, urged residents of Cherry Tree Lane not to be fearful of the soldiers as they move throughout the area.
“We are here in full support, taking the lead here in treating this matter. We will continue to do so unrelentingly until all the possible leads will be met with the full force of investigation and also that we come with better resolve,” said Forbes. “I ask you, though, while we are moving around, don’t be afraid to interact with us. Help us to help you. We empathise with you and we continue to share your grief and at the same time support the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) in fighting this crime monster.”