The sound of gunfire sent persons into a mad scamper for cover in Accompong, St Elizabeth, as five persons were shot and injured on Thursday night (January 6). 

A massive stampede only worsened the chaos as Annual Maroon Fest celebrations, which continued well into the night, were marred by violence.

Preliminary reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) indicate that the shooting incident took place around 9:35 pm. 

Accompong News, an outlet dedicated to Maroon affairs, in its report said that a policeman dressed in a denim jacket is purportedly the man behind the trigger.

“It’s alleged that the shooting was done by a police officer seen during the day wearing a jeans jacket with a firearm with extension clip. The police was seen going into a dance with other individuals,” Accompong News posted to Facebook, adding that a boy ‘no older than 12’ was among those injured.

In the aftermath, five persons, including two children, were nursing gunshot wounds. A yet-to-be-identified male was pronounced dead at the Black River Hospital, while the others are still being treated.

Attempts by Our Today to ascertain the condition of the four survivors were unsuccessful up to the time of publication. 

As investigators are still trying to piece together what led to the deadly shooting, the incident comes almost two days after the JCF urged Maroon Fest organisers to cancel the event amid increased spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In the eyes of the Jamaican State, Maroon Fest constituted a breach of Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) provisions.

The JCF, arguing that no approval was granted by either the Ministry of Health and Wellness or the St Elizabeth Police, warned Jamaicans against attending Annual Maroon Fest, being held for its 284th year. 

In response, leader of the Accompong enclave, Colonel Richard Currie, contended there were no plans from the Maroon perspective to cancel or discourage persons from participating in the event. 

Currie, in an Instagram post signalling the commencement of Annual Maroon Fest, maintained that his people should be afforded the same privileges as Muslim pilgrims to celebrate their traditional ceremonies without outside interference.

The 40-year-old chief is yet to comment on the deadly incident.

More details to come later.

See related articles: 

• Accompong prepares for Maroon Fest 2022, JCF adamant event breaches DRMA
• ‘Maroon Fest still on!’: Richard Currie scoffs at JCF calls to cancel annual event