A devastating event unfolded at Grange Hill High as a boy lost his life, and a girl sustained injuries in a shooting incident following the school’s sports day.
Tragic Event at Grange Hill High School in Westmoreland
Two students from Grange Hill High School in Westmoreland were victims of a horrifying gun attack, leaving one student dead and a female student hospitalized. The incident took place on Belle Isle Road, with reports indicating that ongoing gang violence within the community of Grange Hill, Westmoreland was the root cause of the tragedy.
The male student, identified as 16-year-old Carson Bennett, lost his life in the attack, while his female schoolmate was subjected to critical injuries. The entire school community is reeling from the devastating event, questioning why decades of crime and violence have not been effectively addressed by the authorities.
Superintendent Othneil Dobson, the head of the Westmoreland Police, revealed that the incident was linked to the ongoing conflict between the Kings Valley Gang and the Ants Posse Gang. This feud has plagued Grange Hill for many years and has resulted in numerous tragic deaths.
Grange Hill High School’s principal, Trevine Donaldson-Lawrence, emphasized that the students involved were high achievers and had no known involvement in conflicts within the school or the community. In response to the gravity of the situation, face-to-face classes were suspended, and online classes using Google Classroom were implemented. Efforts to provide grief counseling and support for those affected were also implemented.
This tragedy follows another devastating incident that occurred just a week prior, where a 14-year-old student lost his life in a stabbing incident at Irwin High School in St James. The string of violence in schools is deeply concerning and calls for immediate and effective interventions to ensure the safety of students and the community.
A gunman Was fatally shot during an attempted robbery of a taxi in Clarendon.
Fatal Shooting During Robbery Attempt in Clarendon
On Wednesday night, April 24, 2024, a suspect attempted to rob a taxi driver and passengers in Clarendon, leading to a fatal outcome. The deceased has been identified as 24-year-old laborer Bobby Bruce from Frazer Content in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
Reports indicate that at approximately 8:20 p.m., as the taxi was traveling along a roadway, the accused individual brandished a firearm and attempted to rob the driver and passengers. A struggle ensued, during which the taxi driver managed to disarm the robber, and a firearm was discharged, resulting in the death of the assailant.
The injured individual was taken to May Pen Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Subsequently, the taxi driver handed over the firearm and ammunition to the May Pen police.
This tragic incident occurred just 48 hours after another fatal shooting involving a taxi operator in Linstead, St Catherine.
Robbery at Home of Chinese Businessman in St. Mary.
A Chinese businessman was reportedly robbed at gunpoint in his home in St. Mary. The assailants made off with not only the businessman’s firearm but also other valuable possessions.
A search is underway for the perpetrators who robbed a Chinese businessman of his licensed firearm and other valuable items at his residence and supermarket in Annotto Bay, St Mary, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
The police reported that after 11 p.m., the businessman was ambushed by armed individuals while on the balcony above his supermarket. He was then restrained.
The assailants proceeded to ransack his home and the ground-floor supermarket, making off with cash, the businessman’s licensed firearm, and merchandise before fleeing the scene.
Deputy Superintendent Kevin Francis, acting head of the St Mary police, affirmed that the authorities are pursuing multiple leads in hopes of apprehending the culprits.
“At this stage, we are actively pursuing leads, but we are committed to maintaining the integrity of the case. We urge any members of the public who possess information that could aid in our investigations to come forward,” stated Francis.
Kevin Francis, Deputy Superintendent
Anyone with information on the incident can contact the Annotto Bay or Port Maria Criminal Investigations Division (CIB) offices via the 311 or 811 information numbers.
Persons can also contact the general police emergency number – 119.
The government is confronted with a substantial legal expense after the Privy Council’s decision in the Kartel appeal.
A news report from Radio Jamaica News indicates that the Jamaican government is confronted with a substantial legal bill after the UK-based Privy Council’s decision last month to reverse the murder convictions of incarcerated entertainer Vybz Kartel and his three co-accused.
The Privy Council, in its Final Order delivered to local authorities two weeks prior, granted legal costs to the appellants and their lawyers.
It is reported that the legal expenses could reach up to $20 million.
Nine lawyers, many holding the title of King’s Counsel, participated in the case.
On March 14, the Privy Council annulled the murder convictions of Adidja Palmer, also known as ‘Vybz Kartel,’ ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre ‘Mad Suss’ St. John, citing jury tampering as the reason.
These individuals were originally found guilty on March 13, 2014, for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.
Subsequently, the Privy Council remanded the case to the Jamaica Court of Appeal to determine if the accused should be retried for the murder that occurred in 2011.
The appeal hearing is scheduled for June 10 and is anticipated to span five days.
1]: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/vybz-kartel-latest-king-charles-approves-decision-to-quash-jamaica-to-cover-court-costs/ar-AA1nFms8 “”
[2]: https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/govt-facing-huge-legal-bill-following-privy-council-ruling-in-kartel-appeal “”
[3]: https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/04/25/privy-council-invitation/ “”
[4]: https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/entertainment/vybz-kartel-first-official-statement-following-privy-council-ruling/ “”
[5]: https://www.dancehallmag.com/2024/03/14/news/vybz-kartel-wins-privy-council-appeal.html “”
[6]: https://bing.com/search?q=Vybz+Kartel+Privy+Council+decision “”