$25 Million Reward Fund Established for Information on Clarendon Massacre

The Jamaican government has set up a $25 million fund to encourage the exchange of information or intelligence that could assist in the investigation into the mass murder of eight people in the Cherry Tree Lane area of ​​Four Paths, Clarendon, on Sunday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the fund during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday morning.

The prime minister called Sunday’s shooting “an act of terror” that requires a strong response, and stressed the need to undermine gang activity by encouraging citizens to come forward with information. “It is information that will dismantle the gang networks and eliminate their ability to operate within the community,” he said.

The Ministry of National Security will manage the fund, with a particular focus on Sunday’s violent incident.

Of the $25 million, $6 million is earmarked for credible information and intelligence that could lead to the arrest and indictment of those involved in the killings. Up to $1 million is available per person.

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An additional $5 million will be made available for information that can aid in the investigation, arrest and indictment of those who facilitated the crime, up to $1.5 million per person.

“We are particularly interested in identifying the facilitators and organizers – the individuals who provided weapons, access to vehicles, coordinated logistics, made phone calls or made connections,” Holness said.

He also noted that $4 million has been set aside for information leading to the seizure of firearms used in the killings, while another $5 million has been set aside to secure evidence against the gangs involved.

Finally, $5 million is set aside for information that could lead to the arrest and indictment of anyone harboring the criminal gangs or their accomplices. Up to $800,000 is available for each identified person.

“This $25 million fund is intended to accelerate the flow of information crucial to the investigation,” Holness added.

Information that may assist the investigation may be reported to Crime Stop at 311, the police emergency number at 119, the National Intelligence Bureau tip line at 811, 888 MOCATIP (6622-847) or the Jamaica Defence Force tip line at 876-837-888.

Police have already arrested five people in connection with the murder and seized an illegal firearm.

The prime minister also stressed that any other means of providing information is acceptable as long as the relevant details reach the Ministry of National Security.

Read: Foreign criminals involved in Jamaica mass shooting, says PM Holness