Two children shot, father killed in Hannah Town

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen killed a 55-year-old resident of Hannah Town, west Kingston, and injured two of his children, ages four and eight.

The deceased has been identified as Mark McKenzie, who was shot as he slept. According to the police reports, the gunmen invaded the yard at approximately 3 a.m. They unleashed gunfire on the home of McKenzie, who was asleep with his two sons. He was reportedly hit in the face and chest. The older child is said to have been shot below the buttocks, while the four-year-old sustained two shots in the leg and one on the arm. The children were promptly treated and then transported to hospital for further care.

Head of the Kingston West Police Division, Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, expressed his dismay at "the senseless killing of another citizen within the Hannah Town community".

"What is most frightening about this one is the fact that two children were shot and injured in this incident," he said.

Phipps theorised that the incident is likely a continuation of the ongoing gang feud plaguing the area. An older daughter of McKenzie described him as a devoted parent, emphasising his commitment to his two young sons and her daughter.

"This man dedicated his life to his two baby dem, not even me weh a di bigger one. When you see him you see him two bwoy pickney dem. To how dem live you wonder if him is a madda."

She said that incident is already taking a psychological toll on her family, especially her 11-year-old daughter, who lost her biological father to gang violence four years ago.

Although there was a period of calm as a result of the intervention work carried out by the police in the area, Phipps acknowledged that there has been a resurgence of gang activities impacting children directly. He pledged that there would be an increased security presence in the area, vowing to target perpetrators as part of efforts to restore normalcy. The affected family has sought counselling from the Victim Services Division of the justice ministry.