Prime Minister, National Security Minister Condemn Mass Shooting in Rockfort

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, and National Security Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, have strongly condemned the killing of five men during a mass shooting at a football match in Pleasant Heights, Rockfort, Kingston, on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 21.

Dr. Holness and Dr. Chang, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, visited the community on Tuesday (October 22) to offer condolences to the families of the deceased.

The police have identified four of the five men shot and killed. They are Ortavia Austin, 51, and his son, 29-year-old Okero Austin; 32-year-old Odane Josephs, otherwise called “Bones”, and 38-year-old Rosrick Tomas, otherwise called “Teniel”.

Two persons sustaining injuries during the incident remain in hospital in stable condition.

“Let me express my deep condolences to the family members of those who perished in this very brutal attack where five persons were killed,” Dr. Holness said.

Information from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Kingston Eastern Division indicate that one of the perpetrators was killed in an operation in the area on Monday night, during which a rifle was also retrieved.

Dr. Holness indicated that organised criminals or gangs have been determined to be responsible for the shooting incident.

He said the JCF and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) are working to bring those responsible to justice.

“Jamaica is not going to sit back and allow organised criminals to threaten the security of the nation and destroy the peace of the community. Everyone in this community should see this killing as an affront, but also as a threat. The police will act in a very judicious and fair manner and act with restraint and be respectful of the citizens, and we urge the citizens to cooperate,” Dr. Holness declared.

He noted that prior to the incident, there was a reduction in crime in the Kingston Eastern Division for approximately seven weeks.

“Make no mistake, once we have identified who the criminals are, we will go after them aggressively and intensely but justly and fairly, and we will bring them to justice,” Dr. Holness said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Chang informed that following the shooting, a 48-hour curfew was imposed in the area.

“They (security forces) seem to have quickly identified those involved and they are now pursuing them as aggressively as they can. This kind of activity cannot be tolerated in the least and the police have full authority to pursue them. If the curfew is needed for a longer period, I have the authority to extend it and I will so do upon the request of the Commanding Officer in this area,” he said.

Dr. Chang pointed out that since yesterday, members of the JCF, JDF and JCF Special Operations Team have been conducting activities to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.

“We extend our sympathies to the families who were affected. We will pursue the perpetrators relentlessly and we will apprehend [them] and ensure this kind of thing is not repeated in this area or anywhere else,” he said.