Double Murder During Candlelight Vigil in St Mary

A very gruesome incident took place in the community of Effex, St Mary, Thursday night, resulting in a man and woman being shot and killed.

It is reported that the shooting occurred during a candlelight ceremony in remembrance of D’Johnay Peta-Gaye Graham, the 21-year-old teacher that was shot and killed by her constable boyfriend last week.

Whether or not the shooting is in relation to the latter mentioned the incident remains to be seen as further details are yet to be revealed such as the identities of both deceased persons. An investigation is expected to be carried out regarding the matter and further developments will be made as time goes by.

This is not the only reported double murder that occurred since the beginning of July as another heartbreaking incident recently occurred in the community of Prospect, St Thomas which saw 14-year-old and daughter of a Policeman, Tianna Sutherland stabbed to death by a man said to be of unsound mind.

The latter was shot and killed at the scene of the crime by law enforcement officials.

This ultimately results in two double murders in the space of a week which is a cause for concern locally, despite the overall numbers for murders being relatively low this year compared to 2024.

According to crime statistics on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s official website, the country is in the midst of a period where crime is at a record breaking low. Last year, from the period of January 1st to June 28th, the grand total for murders was 584 compared to this year where the figure is at 339 in the same time period. 

This is calculated as a 42% decrease in murders which typically should be celebrated as good news. However, over the past week and more specifically the last couple days it has been nothing but a tragic turn of events.