The victims of Monday’s attack in Maverley were sitting on this bench when the shooting occurred. Photos: Karl Mclarty

The double murder occurred between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

The police are also seeking information on the whereabouts of a man known only as Miller and Max.

Detectives said they intend to question Ashley in relation to other murders including one which occurred in 2017.

Michael Phipps, the assistant commissioner of police in charge of Area 4, said Tuesday that Ashley is being asked to turn himself in to the Hunt’s Bay Criminal Investigations Branch no later than 6:00 pm today.

“He is wanted also with respect to the double murder of Tajaun Jackson and Kimarly Powell. We are seeking the public’s assistance in locating and capturing St Andrew South Police division’s most wanted. He is Courtney Ashley, otherwise called ‘Bloodstain’ of a number 8 Fenbrook Avenue, Maverley address in Kingston 20.

“He is wanted in connection with a number of serious crimes within the St Andrew South division and that includes the murder of Andrew Foster, which occurred on November 6, 2017. He is wanted in connection to the triple murder of Fitzroy Cummings, Demoy Mills, and Shamar James. This was committed on March 24, 2022 on West Main Drive in Maverley. Ashley is also wanted for the double murder of Roshawn Palmer and Clive Lloyd on November 23, 2024 on Seaward Drive,” Phipps said, imploring people knowing his whereabouts to contact the police immediately.

Superintendent Damian Manderson, the commander of the St Andrew South Police Division, said that the next step will be to post photographs of Ashley, to guide the public as to who they are looking for.

Responding to questions from journalists about whether the baby was shot deliberately, Manderson indicated that it was a possibility.

“The young man who died was the ultimate target, but many residents expressed that the child was deliberately shot. We have not ruled that out. Let it be known, whether it was a deliberate act or the child was caught in a crossfire, no child should face death in that manner,” he said.

Manderson shared that the community had experienced relative peace for the past six months and that at one point had recorded no murders for more than a year. He theorised that Monday’s double murder could have been sparked by the return of certain people from overseas.

“Earlier this year, some individuals returned from overseas and that caused a resurgence of violence. The individuals were trying to position themselves. In February we had multiple shootings and one person was killed. Out of that we saw what happened last night, which was possibly a reprisal for that incident in February,” Manderson explained.

On Tuesday, residents of Maverley, shocked by the double murder, mourned the victims.

“Right now I can’t even tell you how I feel,” one woman told the Jamaica Observer as she sat on a chair and rested her forehead on a table in front of her in despair.

A relative of Powell, who cops believe was the intended target of the attack, shared that Monday night had appeared to be normal for residents until the gunmen struck.

“People were outside talking. There was a car that came in and parked for a very long time at the end of the road. We couldn’t see who was inside. Sometimes, taxis would come and pick up girls and they would usually wait on them at the bottom of the road until the passenger is ready. They don’t wait at the passenger’s gate. We thought it was something like that,” the relative said.

“The car drove out and another car came and parked same place. The first car seemed to be the spy car because as soon as it left, the other car came. They drove up to the bench where Kimarley was. He was beside a youth who was holding the baby. They shot the baby out of his hands. He had to let him go. The baby died on the spot. The big youth was shot but he survived while Kimarley died on the way to the hospital,” the relative added.

Another relative who believes the baby was deliberately shot, said they might have shot him because they thought he was Powell’s baby.

“Powell was the target. He has three children. The last one is two months old so the gunmen probably thought the baby was his. He ran into the yard and when I look I see him on the ground. He was just looking at me. I asked him where he was shot and he wouldn’t respond. The baby was shot in the head. Whosoever did the act thought the child was his own and shot him,” the relative said.