KINGSTON, Jamaica— According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Michael Phipps, the Head of the Kingston Western Division, law enforcement authorities firmly believe that the drive-by shooting that occurred in Trench Town on the evening of November 02, 2023, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives and injuring five individuals, was expertly executed by members of the notorious Fatherless gang as an act of retaliation against the Bukaz gang.
Among the victims who were ruthlessly targeted, a 10-year-old boy was among those rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of violence that unfolded on that fateful evening.
It is with grave concern that SSP Phipps declared, “Based on our investigations, it is our strong belief that this despicable act of violence was meticulously orchestrated by members of the Fatherless gang, seeking to deliver swift reprisal for the heinous murder of one of their high-ranking associates earlier this year, in August.”
The incident transpired around 7:30 p.m., when a menacing motor vehicle carrying armed gunmen penetrated the Third Street area of Rema, unleashing a barrage of gunshots targeting innocent bystanders along the roadway.
Swift emergency responses were mobilized as seven individuals, struck by bullets, were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Tragically, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, two individuals, identified as Desmore Mckenzie, affectionately known as ‘Nico,’ and Romaine Maragh, also known as ‘Coolie,’ both residents of addresses within the Third Street area, succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The harrowing incident not only highlights the escalating violence in the region but also serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact such acts of senseless violence have on the community. Residents and authorities alike are left grappling with the profound loss and the urgent need to address the root causes of gang-related violence that continues to plague the area.
Law enforcement agencies are pursuing all leads to bring the perpetrators involved to justice swiftly while striving to create a safer environment for all residents of Kingston and its surrounding communities.