Suspect in Jamaica mass shooting killed in alleged confrontation with security forces

Steve Smith
Steve Smith

(Jamaica Gleaner) One of the men suspected of being a shooter in Sunday’s mass killing in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, was shot and killed during an operation by the security forces in the parish yesterday afternoon.

He has been identified as Steve Smith, otherwise called ‘Thicka’ or ‘Fly Brain’.

In a media release Wednesday afternoon, the security forces said Smith is suspected of being involved in numerous contract related killings and other serious and illicit activities in Clarendon and other parishes.

They say he was wanted by the May Pen police for murder for some time and was a person of interest in several other murder investigations. 

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Fugitive Apprehension Team and the Clarendon Operational Support team reportedly went to a location in Osbourne Store, Clarendon on Wednesday, in search of Smith and other men who were suspected of being involved in Sunday’s multiple murder.

The police say there was a confrontation during which Smith was shot and injured. He was taken to the May Pen Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The matter has been reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM.

Today’s operation was part of a recently launched joint security operation, led by the JCF in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA). 

The Cherry Tree Lane shooting left eight people dead and at least nine injured.