KINGSTON, Jamaica — A post-carnival shooting in the Jamaican capital has left three people wounded, including prominent local podcaster Jhaedee “Jaii Frais” Richards, and sparked an ongoing police investigation with two people now in official custody. The violent incident unfolded Sunday night at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, immediately following the conclusion of official carnival festivities in the area.
Following the shooting, Richards was taken into police custody as a person of interest connected to the attack. On Wednesday, he appeared before a local court to consider a police application for an extended remand, a request that would allow officers to hold him without formal charges beyond the 48-hour window mandated by Jamaican law. The court ultimately granted the police’s application, scheduling Richards’ next court appearance for Friday.
Richards has retained prominent defense attorney Isat Buchanan to represent him throughout the investigation and upcoming court proceedings. Buchanan confirmed to local outlet Observer Online that he successfully petitioned the judge to order emergency medical care for his client, noting that the island’s police lockup facilities lack the capacity to properly treat the gunshot wound Richards sustained in the attack. Following the court ruling, Richards was transferred to a local hospital to receive care for his injury.
“ We await the completion of the investigation and all I can say is trust the process,” Buchanan told reporters outside the courthouse Wednesday.
Three people were hit by gunfire during the attack at the popular Big Wall after-party venue, according to official updates. Alongside Richards, the injured include a U.S. citizen and a member of dancehall recording artist 450’s personal entourage. The entourage member suffered critical injuries in the shooting but has survived and is currently receiving medical treatment, authorities confirmed.
Richards is not the only person detained in connection with the high-profile incident. Jahvel “Jahvy Ambassador” Morrison, a well-known music producer and talent manager, has also been held in police custody since Sunday night immediately following the shooting. Morrison has retained top legal representation, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie, to guide his case through the legal process.
Local law enforcement has not yet released formal details on possible motives for the shooting, nor have they announced any timeline for the filing of formal charges against the two detainees. Investigations remain ongoing as officers work to piece together the sequence of events that led to the Sunday night attack.