Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly is set to convene an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon with all members of Parliament in the wake of Sunday night’s shooting at the Ed Bush stadium.
O’Connor-Connolly, speaking in Parliament Monday morning, said she, like the rest of the Cayman Islands community, was “deeply troubled by the horrific shooting incident.”
“This level of violence is not normal in our beloved Cayman Islands and will not be tolerated by any member. The government fully supports the RCIPS and all its effort to ensure a safe and secure Cayman Islands,” she said.
O’Connor-Connolly has called a special meeting at the Government Administration Building for 1:30pm Monday, to which all MPs have been invited to attend.
Police Commissioner Kurt Walton and other officials are expected to attend that meeting, the Compass understands.
In addition, the premier is scheduled to hold a press briefing at 3pm on the shooting and provide updates, along with RCIPS officials.
Governor Jane Owen will also be present at the press briefing where she will make a statement on the incident, as security for these islands falls under her remit.
O’Connor-Connolly, who was dressed all in black Monday, said that government conveys “deepest sympathy and fervent prayer to all those affected by this unfortunate incident”.
The shooting, which is still under investigation, occurred shortly after 9pm on Sunday during a football match at Ed Bush Stadium in West Bay.
Police said the first shots were reportedly fired just outside the changing rooms at the stadium, and seven people with serious injuries were taken to Cayman Islands Hospital in private vehicles.
The Compass is awaiting an update on the conditions of those injured last night.
Police have appealed for anyone that witnessed the incident to provide information.
‘Stand together’
O’Connor-Connolly, in her statement in Parliament, said government was “appreciative of the actions taken by the RCIPS first responders, medical professionals, and many bystanders will charge into danger and saved lives”.
She prayed that lawmakers be granted “a shared vision and resolute strength to stand together as we address issues of safety and security in our communities in the face of this brazen violence”.
O’Connor-Connolly appealed to all members of the community who witnessed the incident to come forward and provide information.
House Speaker Sir Alden McLaughlin, following the premier’s brief statement, remarked that the shooting was “a very grave matter indeed”.
Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, in a brief response to the premier, said everyone was saddened and were “all deeply concerned” by the events that unfolded Sunday night.
“I just wish to assure her, her government and the people in the Cayman Islands that we share those concerns and that we support all the efforts that will be expended to ensure that we bring this matter to conclusion and the right people are soon brought to justice,” he said, adding that he hopes that people can return to a state of calm.
In the wake of Sunday night’s multiple-victim shooting, West Bay South MP André Ebanks has also called for calm in the community as investigations continue into the incident.
Ebanks, in a short message via social media, joined with the RCIPS as he appealed for anyone with information on the shooting to come forward.
“I encourage everyone to remain calm, to be in prayer for the Cayman Islands, and to share any information you may have with the RCIPS,” he said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call 911 or the West Bay Police Station 949-3999.
Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via the Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777, or via their website or through the Cayman Crime Stoppers website.
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It seems that the #1 issue to be solved is how did these guns get onto the island? The obvious answer is by boat or cargo so tightening up laws that prohibit undeclared boats coming in from other countries and scanning all incoming cargo and luggage. I know it is difficult to monitor the shoreline of the islands but I am willing to bet that there is a technology that would make this possible. Then there is the way in which foreigners are screened when they are permitted to come work in these islands. I wonder if important things are overlooked in the haste to get an employee at the ridiculously low wages offered so, in addition to treating local mental and social illnesses, we accept criminal behavior in some foreigners. My Premier is a bright woman interested in her country and I know she will lead the effort to tie all these possibilities together to, at least, make getting or having a gun here punishable to such a degree that we would not have to worry about weapons on our shores. That is where it begins.
Perfectly stated Minnie! Protect the shores, and make offenders accountable to a degree it is not worth the crime. I have no doubt the honorable Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly will address this exceptionally important firearms issue and get the job done.