A wave of shock and grief has swept across Jamaica following a brutal mass shooting that claimed the lives of five people, including a four-year-old girl, in the community of Commodore, Linstead, St. Catherine. The horrific incident, which occurred late Sunday evening, October 5, 2025, also left four others with gunshot wounds, deepening the fear and sorrow gripping the nation.
Attack Under the Guise of Authority
The attack unfolded around 8:45 p.m. in what is locally known as ‘Big Yard,’ a premises where residents were gathered. According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, a group of six armed men, crucially impersonating police officers and reportedly wearing police-style vests, stormed the compound. Shouting “police!” to disarm any potential resistance, the gunmen unleashed a hail of bullets from high-powered weapons indiscriminately into the crowd. In a brutal display of violence, the attackers also shot and killed a dog before fleeing the scene, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.
Victims and Devastating Loss
The victims of this heinous act have been identified as four-year-old Shannon Gordon, a student at Rosemount Primary and Infant School; Mario Sullivan, 42; Jushane Edwards, 19; Famous Amos, 22, a security guard; and Iyasha Washington, 39, a vendor. The youngest victim, Shannon Gordon, has cast a particularly dark shadow over the tragedy, leaving her family, teachers, and the entire community shattered. An 11-year-old child, also a student at Rosemount Primary and Infant School, remains in critical condition, battling for their life following the attack.
School principal Malaika Sinclair Bailey expressed the profound trauma affecting the educational institution, stating, “The news has shaken us to the core. Our students and staff are traumatised.” Bishop Courtney Golding, a community resident and school board chairman, echoed the sentiment of widespread shock and grief, describing the incident as a “senseless act of violence” that has left the community “tense and heartbroken”.
Official Response and Intensified Investigation
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, who visited the community following the massacre, condemned the attack as “an act of criminal terror” deliberately designed to instill maximum fear. He criticized those who focus solely on crime-fighting strategies without acknowledging the profound pain of victims and their families.
Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr. Horace Chang, has voiced confidence in the police force’s ability to achieve a breakthrough, citing “strong leads” in the investigation led by the Major Investigations Division. Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has stated that the mass shooting appears to be a reprisal attack stemming from an incident two years prior, and that those responsible will be brought to justice swiftly. To aid the investigation, the government has announced a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of the perpetrators. A 48-hour curfew was also imposed on three communities in the Linstead area to help contain any potential further violence and facilitate the police probe.
Underlying Causes and Community Concerns
While the investigation is ongoing, authorities are leaning towards gang conflict as the potential motive behind the attack. This possibility comes as a surprise to investigators, as the Linstead area had reportedly been relatively calm this year, with only eight murders recorded in the district prior to this incident, a significant drop from the previous year. The fact that the perpetrators donned police fatigues has raised serious concerns, highlighting a disturbing trend where criminals exploit the authority of law enforcement to perpetrate violence.
The community of Commodore and the wider Linstead area are receiving professional counseling services and psychosocial support to help residents cope with the trauma of the attack. The government has pledged continued support for the victims and their families, addressing both their emotional needs and any additional requirements that may arise.
This tragic news serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges with violent crime in Jamaica. As investigators work to apprehend those responsible, the community grapples with immense loss and a heightened sense of vulnerability, awaiting justice for the lives so brutally cut short. The search for answers and accountability continues, with the hope that this devastating event will not lead to further cycles of violence.