ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A quiet Sunday evening in the community of Commodore in Linstead was shattered by gunfire when armed men, posing as police, attacked a family yard, leaving nine people shot, five of them fatally, including a four-year-old child.

The incident unfolded at approximately 8:45 pm on Sunday, when several men, some reportedly wearing police-style vests, descended on the premises along Commodore main road. According to police reports, the attackers rushed into the yard and opened fire on the occupants.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips, who heads Area 5, described the scene as “very unfortunate and awful,” noting the community had been enjoying relative calm prior to the tragedy.

“Nine persons were shot, five persons have so far been confirmed dead,” ACP Phillips told Observer Online. “We are here trying to put together the pieces to determine what really triggered such an awful situation. The community of Linstead has been doing pretty well since this year.”

Among the deceased is four-year-old Shannon Gordon, a student of Rosemount Primary and Infant School. The other victims have been identified as:

Mario Sullivan, 42, of Rosemount District, Linstead.

Jushane Edwards, 19, of Rosemount District, Linstead.

Iysha Washington, 39, a vendor of Rosemount District, Linstead.

Famous Amos, 22, a security guard of Commodore District, Linstead.

Police confirmed that six males and three females were shot in the attack; two females and three males succumbed to their injuries.

ACP Phillips revealed that the location was not unfamiliar to police, having been visited on multiple occasions in the past due to “long-standing issues and challenges” involving the family.

“The indicators so far are suggesting that this might be a continuation of gang conflict, which comes as a surprise to us because this area has been quiet for a while,” ACP Phillips explained. “Unfortunately among the numbers we have a four-year-old who was brutally killed… the community is in shock.”

Senior investigators and multiple police units were deployed to the scene as authorities tried to priovide a quick response to bring those responsible to justice.

ACP Phillips reported that up to this point, the Linstead area had recorded only eight murders, compared to over 20 during the same period last year.

“Linstead was doing pretty well and so this really comes as a shocker to us,” Phillips said.

Investigations are ongoing.