Police hunt football stadium shooter as officials offer $250,000 reward

A $250,000 reward has been offered to help catch a suspected lone gunman, who remained on the loose Monday following a shooting spree at a football game that left seven people injured in a “watershed” crime that officials described as “unprecedented in Cayman”.

Governor Jane Owen, who has responsibility for security in Cayman, said the mass shooting was a “tragedy” and everyone in Cayman needed to come together to prevent a repeat.

She said, “This feels like a watershed moment. It feels like we have had a glimpse through a window into what could happen if the threats we face from crime… continue to increase.”

Joining her on the podium at an emergency press conference Monday, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said Cabinet had swiftly allocated funds towards a $250,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the shooter.

‘Indiscriminate’ shooting

“This level of violence is not normal, neither is it acceptable,” she said.

Police Commissioner Kurt Walton outlined a working hypothesis that a shooter had fired “indiscriminately” into a group of spectators watching the game towards the northeast corner of the field close to the changing rooms. He confirmed that seven people were injured and transported to Cayman Islands Hospital. Four have since been discharged.

The shooter is believed to have had two targets in mind, the commissioner stated, but fired indiscriminately with “no regard for human life”.

The working theory is that the shooter came across an open pasture adjoining the field and opened fire.

“This truly was an unprecedented occurrence in the Cayman Islands – an incident of this magnitude at such a public event as a football match,” Walton stated.

There were around 300 people at the game between Academy SC and Elite SC when the gunfire broke out at halftime, just after 9pm. Several witnesses told the Compass of their shock and horror that such a crime could take place at a family event with children and elderly people present.

A major incident room has been set up with 20 detectives on the case while armed units have been stepped up across West Bay and further afield as police hunt the gunman.

All football activities have meanwhile been suspended until at least next Tuesday, pending a meeting between police and football administrators.

The commissioner added that he did not yet see the need for a UK task force to be called into assist his officers, though the option remains on the table in the longer term. The National Security Council, chaired by the Governor, will meet Tuesday morning to discuss next steps.

MPs stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’

O’Connor-Connolly said all 19 politicians were lined up together in support of getting to grips with the challenges faced by escalating criminality in Cayman.

The premier said beefing up anti-gang legislation and considering a fresh gun amnesty were among the ideas on the table.

“Cayman will not be destroyed by the minority who has no regard for life,” she vowed.

Leader of the Opposition Roy McTaggart was also in attendance, in a show of solidarity between elected members on either side of the parliamentary divide.

He said the incident was one he would never have believed possible in Cayman and he and his party “stood shoulder to shoulder” with government in their efforts.

Owen said the group of leaders responsible for national security had already been involved in intense discussions around escalating crime in Cayman, specifically including how to block the importation of powerful firearms to the islands.

85 illegal guns

Walton has already indicated police believe at least 85 illegal firearms are circulating in the community, although no ballistic information is yet available form Sunday’s shooting.

Asked about the make-up of gangs in Cayman, Walton said police intelligence was that there have typically been four known gangs in the Cayman Islands – two in George Town and two in West Bay.

However, he said three of those had merged against one of the West Bay gangs.

“That merger looks to be about 40 people,” he added.

Owen added that discussions were ongoing and would now accelerate, around crime prevention and awareness, as well as detection.

But for either strategy to work, she said police and other agencies needed public support.

“We need information on the people we need to go after or the people we need to help and support,” she added.

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 a confidential tip line at 949-7777, or via its website or through Cayman Crime Stoppers online.