Two Killed, Two Injured in Late-Night Gun Attack in Montego Bay

A late-night shooting in Montego Bay, St. James, has left two men dead and two other individuals, including a woman, nursing gunshot wounds following an attack by armed assailants on Monday.

The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. in the Sign community, where patrons had gathered at Destiny Jade HQ for a bingo game. According to reports, two gunmen entered the establishment and opened fire on those inside.

Those killed have been identified as 26-year-old Dean Junior Hastings, otherwise called “Knockoff”, a JUTA tour operator from Lottery district, and 32-year-old Jamari Richards, a businessman of West Village, Montego Bay.

A male businessman and a female bar operator were among the wounded and have been hospitalised. Reports also indicate that another patron fell during the chaos, hitting his head and briefly losing consciousness. He was taken to hospital, where he later regained consciousness and is receiving treatment.

Following the shooting, patrons reportedly fled the building in various directions. One of the attackers then entered the shop and made off with an undetermined sum of money before both gunmen escaped on foot.

Four injured persons were transported to hospital, where two were pronounced dead. Fifteen spent shells were later recovered at the scene by investigators.

The incident comes amid a notable decline in violent crime in St. James. Police statistics show that 56 murders have been recorded in the parish so far this year, compared to 121 during the same period in 2024.