🔫 Gang violence suspected in football stadium shooting

Police Commissioner Kurt Walton has revealed that heightened gang tensions are believed to be behind a shocking shooting at the Ed Bush football field in West Bay. The incident, which saw seven people hit, is thought to be the result of two George Town gangs joining forces with one of two long-standing West Bay gangs in a battle against a rival gang. Despite the recent spike in gang tensions, the police did not anticipate this violence spilling over into such a public space, as previous shootings had been contained to known gang areas. 🚔

According to Walton, the current theory is that there was a single gunman who accessed the football ground via an adjacent piece of open land. The gunman, who may have had assistance in escaping, opened fire on a group of 20 to 25 people watching the game, using a 9mm semi-automatic weapon. The police believe at least two men were the intended targets. Three of the seven people shot remain in hospital with serious injuries, while the other four have been discharged. The police are appealing for witnesses, as up to 300 people were present at the time of the shooting. A reward of $250,000 has been offered for information leading to a successful conviction. 🕵️‍♂️

Walton also provided insight into the current understanding of the existing gang tensions. Four gangs are known to the police, but three have merged and are working together against one of the West Bay gangs. This larger gang is estimated to comprise around forty people. In response to the incident, the Cayman Islands Football Association has temporarily suspended local games. 🏈