Woman Shot Dead at Montego Bay Church

A woman was shot dead at a church entrance in Montego Bay, Jamaica, as a fasting service was under way inside the building. (jamaica-gleaner.com) The shooting happened at about 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at the New Testament Church of God on Water Lane in St. James. Eyewitness accounts published by Jamaican outlets said a man arrived in a small vehicle, got out, and opened fire at the entrance. (jamaica-gleaner.com) IRIE FM reported the gunman wore a mask and hit the woman multiple times before fleeing. The woman was taken to hospital and pronounced dead, and police had not released her identity as of April 23. (iriefm.net) The attack unfolded while congregants were inside for prayer and fasting, and reactions from worshippers were captured on a livestream, according to IRIE FM. The Jamaica Observer reported that police from the St. James Division were sent to the scene and began a murder investigation. (iriefm.net) (jamaicaobserver.com) Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, the commanding officer for St. James, told IRIE FM that investigators were following several leads. McKoy’s News also identified Samuels as head of the St. James Police Division and said officers had cordoned off the church compound after the shooting. (iriefm.net) (mckoysnews.com) Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and one of Jamaica’s busiest urban centers, and Water Lane sits near the city’s downtown core. The killing drew immediate attention in local media because it happened at a church doorway in daylight during an active service. (jcf.gov.jm) (jamaica-star.com) By Thursday, April 23, police had not announced an arrest, a motive, or the victim’s name. The next step in the case is the St. James police investigation that Samuels said was already under way. (iriefm.net)