The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) is calling for persons to refrain from taking the law into their own hands in the wake of Sunday’s slaughter of eight persons at a birthday party in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon.

“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,” the JCC added.

The JCC’s call is sobering given that two men have been charged with an illegal weapon after being held by members of the security forces on Cherry Tree Lane on Monday.

The police believe that the men, who were on motorbikes, were on their way to a nearby community to avenge the killings that sparked outrage across the island.

The men were held a few metres from where Prime Minister Andrew Holness and National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang were visiting with family members of the victims of Sunday’s shooting.

They have been identified as 24-year-old Devonte Jackson, a construction worker of Cherry Tree Lane, and 22-year-old Rick Edwards, a farmer of Lawson Boulevard, also in Four Paths, Clarendon.

The JCC joins various groups and individuals to condemn the shooting that left a 7-year-old, Aiden Bartley, among the eight shot dead and a 1-year-old among the nine people injured.

“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,” the JCC said.

“There is no doubt that this incident has further traumatised a community that has seen disruption in the past and apparently was under the observation of the security forces. 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,” it added.

The JCC said: “We offer our prayers and support to the men and women of the security forces who 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.”

Meanwhile, the JCC encouraged the government to continue engaging in various avenues to effect meaningful reductions in crime and violence.