Violence Erupts in Spanish Town, Jamaica Following Police Shooting of Gang Leader

Spanish Town, Jamaica, is experiencing a surge of violence following the police shooting of Othneil “Thickman” Lobban, a prominent gang leader of the One Order gang. The incident has led to the closure of schools, businesses, and a halt in public transportation as residents react with anger. On Thursday, gunfire disrupted the streets of Spanish Town, and at least one business was set ablaze shortly after Lobban was killed. Authorities reported that four individuals were arrested for blocking roads, while a curfew was implemented to restrict movement until late Friday. Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips stated that police and military forces are patrolling the area to maintain order. The unrest follows a recent rise in violent crime, prompting the government to initiate a crackdown on gangs. Just days prior, the police had declared a state of public emergency in four regions surrounding Spanish Town due to escalating violence. Locals protested the police’s actions, reportedly barricading roads and damaging official vehicles, as police moved to apprehend Lobban. The One Order gang, active for over two decades, has been implicated in serious crimes such as extortion and murder, and its rivalry with the Klansman gang has contributed to Jamaica's high homicide rate. Following the arrest of former drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke in 2010, violence has intensified with the emergence of multiple smaller gangs operating across the island. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about police brutality, with high rates of police killings reported in Jamaica. The current unrest raises fears of further bloodshed in a region long plagued by gang-related violence.

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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.