Third Woman Dies Following Candlelight Vigil Shooting in Mandeville

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A third woman has died from injuries sustained in a February shooting incident at a candlelight vigil in Mandeville, allegedly carried out by a licensed firearm holder.

The deceased has been identified as 53-year-old Melodie Baker of May Day district in Manchester. Police confirmed that she succumbed to her injuries at hospital around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, nearly two months after the tragic incident.

Baker was among five people shot on the night of Sunday, February 23, during a candlelight vigil on Levy Lane near Nashville in Mandeville. Two other women, 42-year-old Stacy-Ann Mulgrave of Barnstable District and 46-year-old Ann-Marie Hanson of Caledonia Road, both in Manchester, died on the night of the shooting.

The accused, 57-year-old Patrick Thompson, also known as ‘Big T’ or ‘Thommo’, an engineer from Levy Lane, remains in police custody. He is facing a slew of charges, including three counts of murder following Baker’s death, two counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault at common law, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as using a firearm to commit a felony.

Police reports indicate that around midnight, Thompson was involved in a heated dispute with a man regarding a motor vehicle accident. The confrontation drew a crowd, and it is alleged that Thompson opened fire on the group, injuring multiple people before fleeing the scene.

Thompson was later arrested and charged. His attorneys, Peter Champagnie and Samoi Campbell, sought bail, but the application was denied on April 14 by presiding judge Monique Harrison, who remanded Thompson until his next court appearance on July 2.

In court proceedings on April 2, Champagnie argued that Thompson was attacked and presented medical documents and photos showing injuries to his client’s chest. The defence also noted that the primary surveillance footage allegedly capturing the incident was not viewable.

Following the bail denial, Champagnie indicated his intention to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the community of Mandeville continues to mourn the tragic loss of three lives and await further legal developments in the case.