Police Probe Two Fatal Shootings in St Elizabeth as Curfew Takes Effect

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — St Elizabeth recorded its first two murders of the new year over the weekend, as violence in separate communities left two men dead and prompted the imposition of a police curfew.

The victims have been identified as Albert Smith and 47-year-old Basil Bruce, police confirmed.

Smith was fatally shot around 9:00 p.m. on Friday while attending a party in the Crawford district. Reports indicate that armed assailants opened fire at the event, killing him. In response, law enforcement authorities moved swiftly to impose emergency measures in the area.

Less than 24 hours later, another deadly shooting occurred in the parish capital of Black River. About 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Bruce was reportedly at a residence in the New Town community with a relative when two gunmen entered the premises and opened fire, fatally wounding him.

Following the Crawford killing, police implemented a 48-hour curfew in the district. The restriction took effect at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, and is scheduled to remain in force until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5.

Authorities outlined the curfew boundaries as extending south along the coastline from Galleon Beach to a cul-de-sac, east along the Crawford main road from the primary school to a cul-de-sac at Galleon Beach, north from that cul-de-sac back to the vicinity of the primary school, and west along an imaginary line returning to the starting point.

Investigations into both killings are ongoing as police continue operations aimed at restoring order and identifying those responsible.