SOE in Clarendon to prevent reprisals after mass shooting – Holness – Jamaica Inquirer

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has said a state of emergency has been declared in Clarendon to prevent possible reprisals following Sunday’s devastating shooting in Cherry Tree Lane in the parish.

Eight people were shot dead, including a seven-year-old boy, and nine others were injured in the horrific crime.

At a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office (OPM) on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang announced the SOE in Clarendon for 14 days.

He said the government has determined, based on an informed assessment, that the level of violent criminal activity occurring in Clarendon is of such a nature and magnitude that it “endangers” public safety.

“This high number of murders in one day in Clarendon Parish is attributed to the ongoing violence within the division, which had reached a fragile level and eventually resulted in the commission of murders as a means of intimidation and further as a form of retaliation as gangs seek to dominate existing areas,” Chang said.

Holness, in turn, said security forces have been mobilised across Clarendon.

Police and military in Clarendon after a mass shooting on Sunday. (Photo: IG via @jamaicaconstabularyforce)

According to the prime minister, an analysis of the available intelligence suggests that there is “a very high probability” of “attempts at retaliation and reprisals”.

Holness continued: “As Minister Chang pointed out, if there have been incidents like this in the past, and you add up the total killings related to the original event, you get 10s, 20s and 30s.

“So we are very careful to ensure that this incident does not lead to a series of additional killings, and that is why the implementation of the SOE in Clarendon became necessary,” he said.

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The prime minister immediately stressed that the security measures were not intended to hinder law-abiding citizens.

Holness said the security forces “will use this additional power in a very targeted and strategic manner, while ensuring that the human rights of citizens are protected.

“I think the rights of the victims should clearly take precedence, but as a civilized country we also have a duty to show the criminals that we are acting within the law,” Holness said.

He said the police’s actions during their operations since Sunday’s mass shooting show that they have been very professional, strategic and targeted.