TRIGGERED by the slaughter of eight Jamaicans at Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, on Sunday and the injury of nine others in what law enforcers say was an act of reprisal, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in declaring a “total assault on gangs” across the island, pledged that the “Government will use this opportunity to deal with the gangs once and for all”.

The attack carried out by men armed with high-powered rifles aboard a white motor car at 8:45 pm disrupted birthday celebrations being held by a 31-year-old bar owner for her boyfriend, a 23-year-old mechanic from the area. After the shooting ended it was discovered that several individuals had been shot. Amongst the casualties lay a seven-year-old boy, while a baby of one year and eight months was injured.

Speaking at an emergency press briefing at Jamaica House on Monday morning, after a meeting of the National Security Council, the prime minister said it had been confirmed that players from multiple gangs, including people overseas and those behind bars, played a role in what he described as “an act of terror”.

Declaring that Jamaica has “played with gangs for far too long” the prime minister said, “We will not treat this as another criminal act; we will treat this as an act of terror. Therefore, we have given directions to the security forces to launch an all-out assault on the gangs that are involved.”

“Operationally, they must go after every single gang…today every gang leader should ‘tek weh dem self’.

“The security forces have now been given a directive, after our National Security Council meeting: ‘Go after every single gang — and erode them,’ “ the prime minister said grimly.

Added Holness: “There is no way that eight persons can be killed in one incident in Jamaica and the State stands as if nothing happened. Every gang member will feel the full force of the State today. This must never happen in Jamaica again. Everyone involved in this incident will be brought to justice — in whatever form the justice is visited upon them.”

The prime minister, in branding the incident “coordinated, organised armed violence”, said the perpetrators will be treated as criminal terrorists. In noting that “operations are underway at all levels”, he said Jamaica has sought the support of international partners to nab those overseas who are facilitating, directing, and funding criminal operations here.

On Monday, chief of defence staff of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Vice-Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, in noting that “the occurrence in Clarendon merits special attention by the security forces”, said in addition to all the ongoing Anti-Gang Task Force operations and other security operations, she has directed a specific team to treat with this particular incident. She said the special operations team will assist Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in conducting special and targeted operations to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, speaking during the press conference, said he has accepted recommendations from the security forces for extensive areas of curfews across central and southern Clarendon as well as south and northern St Catherine “where gangs collaborate”.

“All elements of the JCF, JDF, supported by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), will be mobilised. They will have the full support of the Government. We will find and apprehend, disrupt, and degrade the criminal gangs. All action will be started immediately,” Dr Chang said.

In the meantime, head of the JCF’s crime and security portfolio, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey said law enforcement agencies “are following some significant leads” and pursuing a number of theories in the line of enquiry.

“At this time I am unable to get into details, but I guarantee you that we will ensure that those perpetrators are brought to justice…This incident is a significant attack on the State and intended to create intimidation and fear in the community. We have imposed a curfew in the area. We will be engaged in a lot of activities to ensure that those who are responsible are brought to justice. We will identify and locate the suspect. We will ensure to mitigate any form of reprisal by our presence,” Bailey said.

There are an estimated 180 active criminal gangs operating in Jamaica, according to the police.