Eight people are now in police custody in connection with the mass shooting in the Cherry Tree Lane community in Clarendon on Sunday, August 11.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed the arrests in an update shared on social media yesterday, Sunday, August 18.

A prime suspect in the deadly shooting incident, Steve Smith, otherwise known as ‘Thicka’ or ‘Fly Brain’, died after engaging the police on Wednesday afternoon (August 14) during a targeted police operation in Osbourne Store, Clarendon.

Smith was alleged to have been involved in the incident that claimed the lives of eight people and in which nine others were left injured. He is also suspected of being involved in numerous contract-related killings and other serious and illicit activities in Clarendon and other parishes.

The police seized an illegal firearm in connection with the shooting incident in Clarendon.

Reports are that on Sunday, August 11, a white Toyota Axio motor vehicle with three armed men drove up to a birthday party held by a 31-year-old bar owner for her 24-year-old mechanic boyfriend. The men in the vehicle exited and opened fire on the patrons.

One of the now deceased includes an eight-year-old boy. A one-year-old infant was injured.