Jamaica Crime News, Kingston: Our news team has learnt that five men have been taken into custody for questioning, following a curfew which is now taking place in Cassava Piece area of St Andrew on Tuesday evening, June 5, 2018.
A police source related that, one of the five men who was taken into custody is said to be the brother of dancehall artist Mavado. The men were taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon for questioning, in connection with the murder of a man in the Cassava Piece area on Tuesday morning.
There is now a heavy security presence in the area and several searches are being conducted. The joint military forces have set up a number of checkpoints and persons are being asked for identification to travel to and from the area.
The police decided to implement a curfew in the area following the murder of Lorenza Thomas, otherwise called “Israel” 23-year-old unemployed of Cassava Piece.
Reports by the police are that about 2:30 a.m., Thomas was at his home when armed men kicked open the door to his house, chopped and shoot him to death. Thomas body was also set on fire by his attackers.
The flare-up in Cassava Piece started on Saturday morning, June 2, following a dispute between Mavado and another man from the area. The dancehall artist whose real name is David Brooks, reportedly slapped the man in his face, but minutes later, he nearly lost his life when his motor car was shot up by the same man with whom he had the conflict and two other men.
Following the incident, Mavado is said to have left the country and flew to the United States but the violence did not stop there. Shortly after a man who is identified as Ian Robinson, Gaza Man, and who is said to be a close friend of Mavado was shot and killed in the vicinity of the Constant Spring Market on Saturday night about 9:30 p.m.
Then on Tuesday morning, Thomas who is said to be a close friend of the man who fired at Mavado was murdered. This killing is believed to be an act of reprisal.
The police say the Curfew will continue for the next few days until calm is restored to the community and the criminals are placed behind bars.
By Henry Bucknor