JCC condemns the slaughter of eight people in Four Paths, Clarendon
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) has described Sunday night’s massacre of eight people in Cherry Tree Lane in Four Paths, Clarendon as “an act of callousness, horror, and terror”.
The umbrella church group said it was shocked and horrified at the deaths and the injury of nine others.
“We are especially saddened and distressed by the fact that among those killed was an eight-year-old child, women and the elderly,” said the JCC.
It has offered “sincere sympathies to the relatives of the deceased and the members of the community” while extending “prayers for comfort at this time of inestimable grief and loss and for the full recovery of those who have been wounded”.
The church group added “We condemn this horrible act in the strongest terms and unequivocally affirm the value of human life, which scripture declares, is made in the very image of God. There is no doubt that this incident has further traumatised a community that has seen disruption in the past… It is our hope that avenues will be created by the churches and social service providers to offer the psycho-social and spiritual support that will assist those who have been so viciously victimised.”
The JCC is urging Jamaicans to refrain from violence of all forms and to pursue peace and the well-being of other persons.
“We especially call on those who have been victimised and aggrieved to refrain from reprisals and allow the state, through the work of the police and the courts, to address this grievous act of violence,” it said.
The JCC has also offered prayers and support to the members of the security forces who, it notes, “must face the scourge of crime and violence in ways that challenge their training and courage”.
“We pray for their protection and trust that their speedy and professional efforts will bring the perpetrators of this heinous incident to justice.”
It has also offered encouragement and support to the government “in its continued engagement of all of the avenues that will bring meaningful reductions in crime and violence in our land”.
