作者： admin

Royanne DeSilva, Managing Director of Dream Aloud Travels and former Miss Jamaica World 2015 first runner-up, has married Luca Campolunghi, an Italian real estate investor, in a wedding that masterfully blended Caribbean vibrancy with Italian sophistication. Their love story began in Qatar, where they first met, and flourished through visits to each other’s homelands, fostering a deep connection rooted in cultural exchange.

In a tragic turn of events, the quiet community of Commodore, St. Catherine, was shattered by a brutal mass shooting on Sunday night. Among the victims was four-year-old Shannon Gordon, whose life was tragically cut short. The senseless violence claimed the lives of five individuals and left four others injured, including an 11-year-old girl. The incident has left the community reeling in grief and seeking justice.

Rosemarie Murray, Shannon’s grandmother, expressed her profound sorrow and anger in a heartfelt prayer, pleading for divine retribution against the perpetrators. ‘Father God, make the killers be put to justice. When people kill the innocent, they must die,’ she cried out in anguish. Murray recounted the harrowing moments when the gunmen, disguised as police officers, stormed the yard and opened fire indiscriminately. ‘They were in police clothes, so everybody thought it was the police. One of them pointed the gun at me, but I said, ‘The blood of Jesus is against you,’ and he took the gun off me and started shooting,’ she shared.

The other victims included 39-year-old Iysha Washington, 42-year-old Mario Sullivan, 19-year-old Jushane Edwards, and a 22-year-old security guard known only as Famous Amos. Jushane’s sister, Simmoneke Walters, expressed her grief and anger, wishing the same fate upon the killers. ‘My little brother was just 19 years old. He was jovial, feisty, but not a bad person. You just came and took his life,’ she lamented.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang, and Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake visited the community to offer their condolences and announce a $2-million reward for information leading to the arrests of the killers. Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips described the incident as gang-related and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. ‘It is a very, very awful scene. For somebody to turn an M16 on a four-year-old, it speaks to the kind of evil mindset we have to encounter,’ he stated.

The community remains in shock, with residents describing the incident as ‘wicked’ and ‘traumatizing.’ The Jamaica Constabulary Force has mobilized all available resources to investigate the case, with the Major Investigations Division leading the charge. As the community mourns, they seek solace in the hope that justice will prevail.

In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement in Jamaica, the St James police have arrested a woman believed to be the leader of a notorious robbery gang that has terrorized communities across the island. The suspect, known by the alias ‘Toots,’ was apprehended along with six of her associates on October 5 in Montego Bay, following a series of coordinated operations under ‘Operation Endgame.’ Launched on October 1, this initiative has already yielded substantial results, including the arrest of over 30 individuals linked to various crimes such as robbery, larceny, and drug offenses. Superintendent Lynroy Edwards expressed pride in the operation’s success, emphasizing that the capture of Toots marks a critical step in dismantling the gang’s operations. The police also seized a Toyota Axio, ammunition, ski masks, and stolen items during the raid. Additionally, ‘Operation Endgame’ has led to the interception of a car theft syndicate, with three suspects arrested and incriminating evidence recovered. The police remain committed to intensifying their efforts to ensure St James becomes one of the safest regions in the Caribbean.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — YARD Empire, a pioneering organization, has harnessed the transformative power of music to positively impact the lives of inmates at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre. Through its recently concluded summer program, the initiative introduced incarcerated individuals to music theory and methodology, yielding promising results in behavior and well-being improvements. Founder Iris ‘Terri’ Salmon highlighted the program’s success, noting reduced disruptive behavior and enhanced overall morale among participants. Facility staff also observed significant changes in the demeanor and conduct of those involved. While formal research is still pending, Salmon emphasized the positive anecdotal evidence supporting the program’s effectiveness. She underscored the importance of addressing underlying issues such as trauma and providing inmates with productive outlets for rehabilitation. Salmon also pointed to a broader societal shift in Jamaica’s approach to incarceration, focusing not only on serving sentences but also on equipping inmates with skills for successful reintegration into society. She explained that life behind bars often fosters survival mechanisms that hinder reintegration, making programs like YARD’s crucial for creating a classroom-like environment that prioritizes learning over survival. Salmon advocated for more educational and skills-based initiatives, citing a RAND Corporation study that links prison education and vocational training to reduced reoffending and increased post-release employment opportunities. YARD Empire’s summer program featured three key components: creative writing, reading music, and a course on gender-based violence led by instructors from the Bureau of Gender Affairs. By teaching practical skills and fostering genuine interests, such as music, the program aims to empower inmates for life beyond bars.