A brazen daylight shooting along the Mandela Highway is now under investigation by police after leaving one man dead and another injured on Friday morning. The incident was captured on dashcam footage, showing two gunmen ambushing the occupants of a silver Ford Transit van in the middle of the street.
Authorities report that following the attack, one of the victims was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the other remains under medical care for injuries sustained during the shooting.
Preliminary information suggests that the victims were travelling along the Mandela Highway after departing Kingston. They were heading in the direction of Spanish Town and Portmore. They came under attack around 7:15 p.m.
Police said the armed men were aboard a motorcycle that pulled up next to the driver’s side of the van after it stopped. Seconds later, gunfire erupted, with about nine shots heard in the video.
The attackers reportedly fired multiple shots into the vehicle through the right window and windshield. The vehicle subsequently veered off the road and onto a low banking while the gunmen rode away from the scene.
Following the shooting, the wounded men were transported to the hospital while police cordoned off the area. One of the men, believed to be the driver, later succumbed to his injuries. He is reportedly a businessman from Spanish Town, St Catherine. Authorities have not yet released his identity nor the identity of the other man, who continues to receive treatment in the hospital.
Investigators believe the attack may have been targeted, with early indications pointing to the driver as the intended victim. However, police have not confirmed a motive as yet. Additional photos have also emerged of the alleged attackers on a motorcycle around the time of the incident.
In the immediate aftermath, sections of the highway were temporarily restricted as law enforcement processed the scene. This contributed to significant traffic delays in the area. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes while investigations got underway.
