Police launch manhunt after Cassava Piece shooting leaves woman dead and five injured

The St Andrew North police have launched several operations aimed at capturing those responsible for Wednesday night's mass shooting in Cassava Piece which claimed the life of a woman.

The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Kelly-Ann Bernard, a mother of three.

A man who initial police reports said had died remains in critical condition in hospital.

Four others are also nursing gunshot wounds.

The six were among patrons playing dominoes at a shop about 7:34 p.m. when men alighted from a car and opened heavy gunfire indiscriminately.

The injured were rushed to hospital in separate motor vehicles, one of which crashed along Mannings Hill Road.

At least one man, who was not a gunshot victim, suffered injuries from the crash.

The Gleaner understands that a major police operation was carried out in another section of Cassava Piece Wednesday night.

Operations are currently ongoing in different sections of the division.

Meanwhile, as at October 5, the St Andrew North police division had recorded 51 murders, a 16 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.

Shootings were also up 14 per cent with 56 reports compared to 49 at the same time in 2023.

- Andre Williams

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