Violence Erupts in Spanish Town After Police Shooting of Notorious Gang Leader

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Spanish Town, Jamaica, is experiencing significant unrest after the police shooting of Othneil “Thickman” Lobban, a prominent gang leader. The incident has led to widespread violence, with gunfire reported throughout the city, prompting schools and businesses to close and public transport to halt. On Thursday, authorities imposed an immediate curfew in response to the chaos, which included at least one business being burned and several road blockades organized by local residents. The acting assistant commissioner of police, Christopher Phillips, stated that four people were arrested during the unrest and emphasized ongoing police patrols in the area to maintain order. The unrest comes in the wake of a government crackdown on gang activity, particularly due to a recent surge in violent crime. Spanish Town was already under a state of public emergency in four of its areas due to escalating gang violence, which has been linked to the One Order gang, of which Lobban was a reputed leader. Local reports indicate that the One Order gang, active for more than twenty years, has been involved in extortion, murder, and drug trafficking, while its rivalry with the Klansman gang has significantly contributed to the island’s high murder rates. Jamaica has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, and there are concerns that Lobban's death could lead to further violence. Experts indicate that the country's crime situation has deteriorated over the past two decades, particularly after the arrest of Christopher “Dudus” Coke in 2010, which resulted in the fracturing of major gangs into smaller, less organized groups. Security forces are being mobilized to try to curb the violence and restore calm.

Spanish Town, Jamaica, experienced widespread violence on Thursday after the police shot and killed Othneil “Thickman” Lobban, a significant leader of the One Order gang. The shooting led to gunfire in the streets, the burning of at least one business, and a rapid response from law enforcement. In response to the unrest, authorities declared a curfew effective immediately, restricting residents' movements until late Friday. Four individuals were arrested for blocking roads in protest of Lobban's death. Schools, businesses, and public transportation services were suspended as safety measures were put in place. Christopher Phillips, the acting assistant commissioner of police, assured the public that police and military patrols were deployed and that the situation would be brought under control. He emphasized that they would not allow further disorder in the community. This incident follows a declaration of a public emergency in four areas around Spanish Town due to a noticeable rise in violent crime. The One Order gang, which is primarily rooted in Spanish Town, has a notorious reputation for extortion, murder, and drug trafficking, often clashing with a rival gang known as the Klansman gang. Jamaica has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, and many fear that the violence triggered by Lobban's killing will escalate further. The United Nations has indicated that the country's violence has intensified over the past two decades, partly due to the fragmentation of established criminal organizations following the arrest of major crime figures. The Jamaican government has been under pressure to take serious action against gang violence as the country grapples with a troubling history of police killings, with Amnesty International reporting concerns about extrajudicial executions.