Reggae artist Christopher Martin expressed deep sadness and dismay as his grandmother’s wake was the scene of a mass shooting on Wednesday morning, a few hours ago.
The Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), the police’s information arm, confirmed that seven people were shot, one fatally, by gunmen in Point Hill, St Catherine on Wednesday morning.
The Mi Friend Dem artist condemned the vicious act.
“My heart is heavy this morning as I reflect on the tragic events that occurred last night at my beloved grandmother’s wake. She was a woman of deep faith and endless sacrifice, someone who taught me the true meaning of love and community. It’s devastating to see violence cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of peace and remembrance,” Martin wrote on his official Instagram account.
The attack came 13 days after 17 persons were shot in a gun attack in the Cherry Tree Lane area of Four Paths, Clarendon on a Sunday night. Eight of those victims died.
Martin extended his sympathies to the families affected by the shooting and made an impassioned plea for peace.
“I condemn all forms of violence and extend my deepest sympathies to the families affected by this senseless act. I pray for those involved to come forward and for our community to support the authorities in bringing justice. Jamaica, we must do better. Life is too precious to be consumed by violence. Let’s choose peace,” he added.
According to the CCU, at about 2:45 am, people in the community were at a wake when gunmen invaded the area and opened fire on the crowd. The men then escaped from the area.
Survivors soon realized that seven people were suffering from gunshot shots. They were rushed to the hospital, where one was pronounced dead, and the others were admitted for treatment.
The public’s memory of the Cherry Lane Massacre is still fresh, and this morning’s mass shooting dredged up terrible memories of that brutal attack. The attack prompted Prime Minister Andrew Holness to call for the security forces to carry out an all-out assault on criminal elements across the island.
Reggae singer Noddy Virtue, who rose to fame at the same time as Christopher Martin, had added his voice to the chorus of outrage over the mass shooting at the singer’s wake.
“My sympathies go out to the family, ah mi bredrin, mi colleague and mi co-worker in the industry so I am saddened and shocked by this. I have been there myself as my own father was shot 6 months ago, it seems like the criminality is getting out of hand, this is not good for the nation,” he said.
Noddy Virtue, best known for his Rebel in Me cover, pointed to what he called a”dangerous trend” in the island.
“Ah just the other day dem shoot up Cherry Lane inna Clarendon, and Jamaica is a place where people follow, so once they start something like this, anything can happen. Chris, hold the faith yah mi bredrin, keep your head up and put God first,” Noddy said.
