Two killed, two injured in March Pen shooting as St Catherine police seek six

Two men were killed and two other people injured after armed men attacked residents in March Pen, St Catherine, on Wednesday night, police say. The shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. and investigators believe gang conflict in and around the community is linked to the violence.

According to the police, several residents were gathered in the area when gunmen moved in and fired on them. Four people were hit and taken to hospital. One of the injured died while receiving treatment, and another man later died from his wounds.

The dead men have been named as 36-year-old Barton Stewart and 27-year-old Akim Smith.

SSP Hopeton Nicholson, commanding officer for the St Catherine North Police Division, said police personnel were already in the area and responded quickly. He said investigators have not yet confirmed whether any of the attackers were shot or wounded during the incident.

Nicholson said March Pen has been under close police attention since November last year, with both rival gang disputes and internal gang tensions contributing to the latest killings and the wounding of the two other victims.

Police are now searching for several people they believe can help with the probe. They named Damani Burton, otherwise called Damon; Colin Booth, otherwise called George; a man known only as Crooks; a man known only as Brother; and two people known by the alias Twin.

The individuals have been asked to turn themselves in at the nearest police station by 8 a.m. on June 5, 2026. Nicholson said most residents of March Pen and nearby communities are law-abiding citizens who deserve to live peacefully, and he said police operations and investigations will continue as they work to find those connected to the attack.