SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Police in Jamaica have fatally shot a prominent gang leader, igniting a wave of violent retaliation in the vicinity of Kingston, which forced authorities to elevate the threat level for officers to an extreme status.
The incident took place in the aftermath of a government-led initiative aimed at cracking down on rampant gang activities, which have resulted in a series of mass shootings on the island in recent months.
Following the police operation, gunfire rang out across Spanish Town, just 13 miles (21 kilometers) from the capital, leading to at least one business being set ablaze merely hours after the death of Othneil “Thickman” Lobban. Law enforcement officials characterized Lobban as a prominent figure within the One Order gang.
In response to the heightened tension, a curfew was swiftly implemented, restricting residents’ movements until late Friday.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force urged the public to remain composed and to collaborate with security personnel as they strive to uphold peace and order in the affected areas.
Authorities, including police and military personnel, were seen patrolling the largely deserted streets of Spanish Town, where schools, businesses, and government offices closed their doors as a protective measure ahead of the curfew. Transport operators were advised to steer clear of the area following the violent occurrence.
In the wake of Lobban’s killing, residents in a nearby neighborhood reacted by staging protests, blocking roads, and causing damage to several official vehicles as police pursued Lobban.
The current climate of violence in Jamaica is of considerable concern, with the nation holding one of the highest homicide rates globally. Many fear that the death of Lobban could trigger further unrest. Additionally, Jamaica ranks among the highest in terms of deaths caused by police officers in the Americas, a situation criticized by Amnesty International, which labelled such fatalities as “extrajudicial executions.”
The One Order gang, which operates primarily from Spanish Town, has been implicated in various criminal activities for over 20 years, as reported by the U.N. Refugee Agency. Allegations include extortion, murder, and drug trafficking, and their fierce rivalry with the Klansman gang has led to the deaths of hundreds.
Historically, the One Order gang has maintained ties with the Jamaica Labor Party and is considered one of the more formidable gangs within a landscape of approximately 250 gangs across the island.
The surge of violence in Jamaica and other Caribbean regions is predominantly attributed to firearms that are illicitly smuggled in from the United States.
