A teen was shot in the head by a home invader who broke into her Smokey Vale residence in St Andrew.
The 18-year-old, a sixth-form student at a well-known Kingston high school, was at home with relatives when the horrifying attack unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning.
According to police reports, the intruder forced his way into the house around 1:40 a.m. He proceeded to search the house, but officials have not identified what the intruder was looking for.
The teenager reportedly saw him when she stepped out of her room. When they unexpectedly came face-to-face, the armed man, without hesitation, fired a shot at her head. He quickly fled the scene before being caught. The teen was discovered with a gunshot wound and immediately taken to the hospital, but despite their efforts, doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.
The brazen attack has sent shockwaves through the community and online. Head of the St Andrew North Police Division, Superintendent Randy Sweeney, confirmed the incident and appealed for information from anyone who may know more about the gunman or his movements.
Members of the public are being urged to contact the Constant Spring Criminal Investigation Branch or their nearest police station.
The teen’s death adds to a troubling backdrop of violent crime across the island. On social media, tributes poured in, and others expressed frustration that even inside the home, safety is no longer guaranteed.
Some online users voiced suspicions that the incident might not have been a random robbery, pointing out that the gunman fired at the teen directly before leaving. “This story isn’t as simple as it seems,” one comment read. “She was definitely targeted.”
The tragedy comes at a time when Jamaica has recorded a 42 per cent drop in murders compared to last year, according to police data. As of August 9, the country’s homicide count stood at 415. Of the 19 police divisions, St Andrew South recorded the highest figure, with 50 murders during that period.