Police Pursuing Several Leads in Fatal Shooting of Three-Year-Old

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Area Four Headquarters, Michael Bailey, said that investigators are pursuing several leads into the fatal shooting of three-year-old Jayce Pinnock.

Jayce was killed and his father and sibling injured in a gun attack at their home in Denham Town, Kingston, on Saturday (February 21).

On Monday (February 23), during a visit to the Edward Seaga Infant School in the community, which the toddler attended, SSP Bailey gave an update on the investigation and appealed to community members to cooperate with the police in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous act to justice.

“I’m going to ask the community, the decent, law-abiding citizens, that whatever information you have, don’t keep it to yourself. We have the police here who are ready to investigate,” he said.

SSP Bailey implored community members to share what they know by using various avenues, including the police emergency line 119, speak to police officers they know personally, pastors, Justices of the Peace (JPs) and teachers.

“We should not allow these kinds of incidents, these crimes to go unpunished. When we have people who feel brave enough to kick down doors, go into homes and attack families, including children, killing them, the society must not tolerate it,” he said.

He assured residents who were gathered in the classroom where Jayce took his lessons, that the police are saddened by the incident, and are utilising every measure to find the perpetrators of the crime.

SSP Bailey lamented the incident, noting that crime and violence have decreased in the area over the past few years, with a significant reduction in Area Four last year, which could be attributed to the implementation of the Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) and other social interventions.

He noted that the fatal shooting occurred in the ZOSO, which will not be tolerated.

“We are going to ramp up our policing. We are going to find the perpetrators and I just ask that the community be on our side and continue to support. When we come in to do our operations, cooperate. If you have any complaints, there are avenues to address it,” SSP Bailey noted.

He further committed to continuing the social interventions in the community to improve security and continue to build trust among residents.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, and Member of Parliament for West Kingston, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, led the visit to the infant school with members of the police and military, and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

The team also visited with Jayce’s mother, grandfather, siblings and other relatives.