by Linda Straker
- Public terror is any act in a public place with intent to cause terror to any person
- Shooting took place at Kirani James Boulevard
- Black Bay youth face decades at Richmond Hill prisons
A 24-year-old unemployed youth who is facing several charges, including 3 counts of non-capital murder, 4 counts of firearms-related charges as well as causing public terror during the carnival Monday J’ouvert celebrations, stands the possibility of facing decades at the Richmond Hill prisons based on recent amendments to the Firearms Act.
“Jaleel Anthony Thomas, unemployed of Black Bay, St John, was charged with 3 counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with intent to cause injury, possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm and causing public terror,” said a written police brief issued on 15 August, or almost 48 hours after the conclusion of the festivities on 13 August.
A police statement released hours after the shooting became public knowledge said that the incident, which took place at Kirani James Boulevard, began with an altercation involving some individuals, resulting in 3 men being injured.
Section 231 of the 2012 amendment to the criminal code said that any individual who attempts non-capital murder commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 20 years, while for causing public terror, the penalty does not exceed 12 months.
Public terror is defined as doing any act in a public place with intent to cause terror to any person. “Harm shall in this case be deemed to have been caused by the act, although the harm be the mere inward effect of the terror caused by the act,” states the criminal Code.
The recent firearms legislation, which went into effect on 1 August, prohibits magistrates from granting bail to any individual charged under the Firearms Act. Granting bail for such offences must be applied to a High Court Judge. The amended legislation also mandates tougher penalties. Before the amendment, the penalty for possession of a firearm in the Magistrate Court started at EC$4,000 up to a maximum of EC$20,000 or imprisonment for 2 to 5 years. Now on summary conviction, there is no fine which the magistrate can impose. Instead, there is a minimum of 10 years in prison or up to 20 years.
On indictment, that is, when you are tried in the High Court, previously, there was a fine of EC$20,000 up to EC$60,000 and imprisonment for 5 to 20 years. The new penalty will be imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of up to 40 years.
Besides the shootings, the police statement said that there was a notable rise in reported offences this year compared to last. “In 2024, there were 37 reported incidents, whereas in 2023, there were 19. This represents an increase of 18 incidents, equivalent to 95%. Property crimes accounted for 51.35% of the total reported incidents, harm offences 32.43% and sexual offences 16.21%,” said the statement.
Linda, a 24-year-old man is not a youth! What in the world were you thinking?
Depends on how old Linda is!