MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Police here are theorising that Sunday’s killing of a four-year-old girl in a gun attack in Landsettlement near Royal Flat may be linked to overseas crime players, as detectives believe the child’s father was the intended target.

“We are following some strong leads, and we believe like all the other [cases] we are going to make a breakthrough very soon… It is a very unfortunate situation and the gunmen fired indiscriminately on a bus with three children and the man in it when the man was the intended target. We could have had three children dead based on the indiscrimination of the criminals. We have it that there is an international connection to it with some overseas players…” a highly placed police source told the
Jamaica Observer on Monday.

Four-year-old Saniyah Obrien, otherwise called Summer, was murdered when gunmen ambushed a black Toyota Voxy in Landsettlement opening fire on the vehicle about 4:20 pm. Both Saniyah and her father were rushed to Mandeville Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Up to press time on Monday her father remained admitted in serious condition.

On Sunday, grieving relatives of both the child and her father huddled outside the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department as they watched detectives process the vehicle with the lifeless body of the child inside in a parking spot next to the hospital’s morgue.

Others awaited updates as doctors stabilised the child’s father.

On Monday, there was a sombre mood at Mount Saint Joseph Preparatory on Manchester Road in Mandeville where Saniyah had started K1 last September. Flowers and a name plaque were placed on a desk in her memory.

Vice-Principal Lorraine Brown-Knight said teachers underwent counselling sessions.

“We had support from West Indies College Prep and a briefing with the children… We also had sessions with the staff, as we have a staff member who also lost a relative on Friday,” said Brown-Knight.

The school administrator recounted a recent interaction with young Saniyah.

“She had physical education last week and, because it was so cold, we had to take it indoors… She left her class and came to give me a hug and she was talking to me,” Brown-Knight shared.

Junior minister in the education ministry and Member of Parliament for Manchester Central Rhoda Crawford, as well as Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell condemned the murder of the child.

“As it relates to the incident, I know that the police are following some careful leads, so I won’t comment further. I just want to remind my constituents to be alert, stay as safe as possible, [and] report what you know to the police,” said Crawford.

She said the police have given assurance that a thorough investigation is underway to track down those responsible for Saniyah’s murder.

“I have been in contact with our commanding officer for the parish, Superintendent Carey Duncan… Just the general concern about the crime situation in the parish… We have to continue to encourage the community to share what they know with the police. What is comforting when these incidents occur is the swiftness in terms of their response of the police as confirmed by the commanding officer,” said Crawford.

“They have persons in custody relating to the incidents last week with the four shootings. As it concerns the four-year-old who has lost her life, an innocent child, of course we mourn with the family. As Member of Parliament I just want to assure my constituents that the police are in control. They are fully aware of what has been taking place. They have heightened security measures and will continue to heighten those measures as the need arises,” added Crawford.

She is warning youngsters to shun criminal activity.

“To the young men, generally, I think we have gotten to the place where we realise that crime doesn’t pay and the very sad and unfortunate part of this is that very often we have innocent people who fall victims of crime that they have no involvement in,” said Crawford.

“We are very serious about reducing the crime rate in the parish and the country, and I know that the police will be working overtime to get this monster [of crime] back under control in this parish and this constituency,” added Crawford.

Mitchell labelled the incident as a tragic and senseless killing.

“This is not just a loss for one household; it is a wound felt throughout Landsettlement and across Mandeville. I strongly urge residents to remain calm and to reject any form of retaliation. Violence will only deepen our sorrow and place more innocent lives at risk,” he said in a statement Monday morning.

He also urged anyone with information to assist the police’s investigation to come forward.

“I appeal to anyone involved in this incident, or anyone with information, to cooperate fully with the police and the justice system. Allow the lawful process to take its course so that accountability and justice may be properly served,” he said.

“No grievance, no dispute, and no anger can ever justify harm to a child. In this moment of profound grief, let us stand together as one community protecting our children, supporting the bereaved, and recommitting ourselves to peace, justice, and healing in the Royal Flat Division,” added Mitchell.

Grieving relatives watch as detectives guard the black Toyota Voxy which was ambushed and sprayed with bullets by gunmen on Sunday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

The shooting scene in Landsettlement near Royal Flat in Manchester. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

CRAWFORD… as Member of Parliament I just want to assure my constituents that the police are in control

MITCHELL… I strongly urge residents to remain calm and to reject any form of retaliation