The parish of Manchester, Jamaica, is confronting a severe outbreak of violence following a series of coordinated shootings that claimed four lives within a narrow twelve-hour window from Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester police, has publicly identified two individuals sought for questioning in connection with the brutal attacks that terrorized the communities of New Hall, Old England, and Ellen Street, south of Mandeville.
The police are appealing to Orane Nelson, also known as ‘Prince’ from May Day, and CJ Wilson of Old England, to present themselves at the Mandeville Police Station to aid the ongoing investigation. This appeal comes as law enforcement pursues what Superintendent Duncan described as ‘strong leads’ and several theories regarding the motives behind the apparently connected killings.
The victims have been officially named as Dejaune Hamilton, Raheem ‘Richie Rich’ Ward (22), Adrian Reid, and David Brown (33). The timeline of violence began around 7:30 PM Saturday, with Hamilton being fatally shot at a football field adjacent to a car wash in New Hall. Hours later, Ward and Reid were killed in the vicinity of a bar in Old England. The spree culminated in a particularly harrowing incident around 1:40 AM Sunday, when David Brown was executed at his Ellen Street home.
According to a traumatized eyewitness, Brown’s murder was carried out by two assailants posing as police officers. They forcibly gained entry to his home and shot him in the head in the presence of his spouse and four of his five children. The witness recounted the horrific details, stating Brown was dragged from his bed and shot multiple times after pleading for his life. Described as a construction worker and a dedicated father, Brown’s sudden death has left his family devastated and deeply concerned for the psychological well-being of his children, one of whom is preparing for critical primary school exams.
This violent surge presents a stark contrast to broader national trends. While the Jamaica Constabulary Force reports a significant 55 percent reduction in murders across the country for January compared to the same period last year, Manchester Parish has recorded four homicides this year, after having none at this time in 2023.