Mother, daughter killed in Clarendon shooting

Residents of the fishing village of Rocky Point, Clarendon, are reeling from the shooting deaths of a mother and daughter, a tragedy that has shattered their sense of security, and left many fearful that the violence could cripple the already delicate livelihoods tied to the community’s fishing trade.

Police have identified the victims as fish vendors 60-year-old Norma Spence, and her 41-year-old daughter, Kerry-Ann Scott.

For residents, the attack has triggered a grim sense of déjà vu, following the December 2025 triple murder in which a mother, her son and her nephew were hacked to death by another relative.

That incident, residents say, had already left the area traumatised and uneasy.

According to the police, the two women were among patrons at a bar operated by Spence when they were pounced upon by three gunmen who opened gunfire.

When the shooting subsided, Spence, Scott and a man were reportedly seen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were assisted to hospital, where Spence and Scott were pronounced dead.

Police say there is no clear motive so far for the attack.

One resident, who spoke under condition of anonymity, described Spence as a “good lady”.

“Wi frighten fi see wah happen. The whole a wi love har. She’s a loving lady. She tek care a all a the likkle youth dem bout yah,” the resident said, adding that her warmth and hospitality were the reasons patrons often gathered at her bar.

He lamented that the attack has disturbed what had long been a peaceful atmosphere in the area.

“The place nice from wah day yah. Nutten naah too gwaan, an’ bwoy...Jah know,” he said, pausing between sighs as he struggled to find words.

Another resident also spoke warmly of Spence, noting that she was never known to be involved in conflict.

“A long time in a the area and Norma is a nice lady. Never hear har in a no violence, so it surprise mi,” the resident said.

Another resident lamented that the incident had not only disrupted upcoming events, but would also affect the livelihood of local businesses, stressing that the attack would deter people from coming into the fishing village.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips, who has responsibility for Area 3, condemned the violence, and insisted the police would not allow the community’s progress to be erased.

“We will not allow criminals to take away the peace and joy that we have enjoyed last year. Because Clarendon did very well last year. In fact, when I enquired about the statistics for Rocky Point, Rocky Point also came in with some reductions in murders and shootings last year, and we would not want to lose that gain for 2026,” Phillips said.

He stressed that the police strongly condemn attacks, particularly those targeting women, and said the community will continue to receive support.

“We really condemn this level of violence, especially against our females, and we will continue to give the community the support. We’ll be doing a walkthrough to reassure the community of our presence and continued support for them,” he added.

Phillips also appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

Meanwhile, Winston Maragh, councillor for the Rocky Point Division, told The Gleaner that he was deeply saddened and taken aback by the unfolding developments, especially given the area’s relative calm in recent times.

"I am really taken aback, because Rocky Point has been behaving itself for some time now, then we had that [triple murder] incident back in December. It is really sad,” Maragh said.

Phillips, who recently assumed command of Area Three, also pointed to a worrying pattern of violent incidents across the region, with domestic disputes emerging as a recurring factor.

“Recently we have had several murders across Area Three that is of concern, because when we do the analysis of those incidents, we realise that domestic violence is being featured right across,” he said.

He referenced incidents in St Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon, including Sunday's killing of Jennifer Williamson, allegedly by her spouse, in May Pen, Clarendon, and said the police will be taking a more deliberate approach to community empowerment and prevention.

“Yesterday I met with the community safety and security officers from across area three, because we will now have to focus in a very deliberate way on empowering the communities to treat the issues of domestic violence. It is going to have our full attention going forward,” Phillips said.

Phillips added that the police will be increasing operations within Rocky Point, stressing that the public’s cooperation will be crucial in restoring stability.

“The community must understand that we need your support to bring back normalcy to this place. Before all of this, the community was enjoying a good time. People, small business operating, people enjoying their parties and so on, and now they have disrupted the peace. We have to do what is necessary to ensure that normalcy returns to this area,” he said.

He further raised concern about the issue of residents renting properties to strangers, noting that while it appears more dominant in Manchester, it may also be a growing concern in Clarendon.

“It is something that we will have to get into the community some more to meet with those neighbourhood watch groups and citizens’ associations to bring some awareness of this situation,” Phillips said.

olivia.brown@gleanerjm.com