Two men shot dead on Balcombe Drive, Olympic Gardens; police hunt killers
Two men were killed and one injured in a drive-by shooting on Balcombe Drive, Olympic Gardens on Sunday night. Police are pursuing leads as residents remain fearful.
Double murder on Balcombe Drive leaves Olympic Gardens residents on edge
Two men were fatally shot and a third person wounded in a brazen attack on Balcombe Drive, Olympic Gardens, on Sunday night, jamaica-gleaner.com reports. A visible police presence was maintained in the area on Monday as investigators worked to establish what prompted the assault.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Damion Manderson, commanding officer for the St Andrew South Division, said investigators are actively pursuing leads to identify those responsible. The police are also appealing to anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
One of the victims has been identified as 54-year-old Gregory Henderson, also known as 'Harry', a resident of the area. The identity of the second man has not been confirmed; residents say he was not from the surrounding community.
According to residents, the two men were seated on a bench at the intersection of Sunshine Corner and Balcombe Drive when a motor car drove up and its occupants opened fire.
The Balcombe Drive killings follow a triple murder in Kidd Lane, off Spanish Town Road in St Andrew, on Friday, in which a one-year-old boy was among those killed.
The attacks come despite a significant national decline in murder figures. National Security and Peace Minister Dr Horace Chang told Parliament last week that murders were down 24 per cent up to October 6, compared with the same period last year.
"Five of the first nine months of 2026 are among the lowest monthly murder totals recorded in more than three decades. Additionally, the first three quarters of 2026 are the lowest quarterly murder totals recorded over that period," Chang said.
Jamaica recorded 1,515 murders in 2022, 1,406 in 2023, 1,148 in 2024, and 674 in 2025.
Chang cautioned, however, that the decline could not be taken for granted. The Government, he said, remains committed to its crime-fighting policies and has increased the strength of the Jamaica Constabulary Force through investment in personnel, infrastructure, technology, equipment and mobility.
The circumstances surrounding Sunday night's attack remain under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the St Andrew South police or Crime Stop.
Source: Google News JM — Crime