Two men charged in Cherry Tree Lane mass shooting
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
The police have charged two men who were involved in the mass shooting in Cherry Tree Lane, Four Paths, Clarendon, on Sunday, August 11.
They have been identified as 28-year-old Dushane Smalling, otherwise known as ‘Snowman’ of North Street, May Pen, Clarendon, and 32-year-old Leighton Whyte, otherwise known as ‘Bands’.
Smalling and Whyte have been charged with eight counts of murder, eight counts of wounding with the use of a firearm, shooting with intent, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
They reportedly handed themselves over to the police, accompanied by their attorney. Charges were formally laid against them on Wednesday, August 22, after a question-and-answer session.
Head of the Clarendon Police Division, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Shane McCalla, said the investigators are also pursuing a number of people in connection with the tragic incident.
“We want to reassure the public that we are continuing the hunt for these men, whether they are inside Clarendon or whether they are outside of the borders of the parish. As recent as this morning, there was a criminal confrontation that ended in one gentleman being injured and later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to persons who chose to engage in criminal activities and when we go after them, which we will, and they then decide to engage the police in a gunfight, there can be only one outcome and I am asking persons to cooperate,” he said.
Eight people were shot and killed while several were injured at a birthday party held in Cherry Lane.
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