Nightclub soldier was under probe for 2007 shooting


The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) corporal involved in Monday morning's shooting at the Double Diamond nightclub in St Andrew was being probed for a similar incident in Manchester.

Gleaner sources say the corporal, whose name is being withheld, was implicated in an incident at a nightclub in Manchester on June 17, 2007.

In that incident, one man was shot during a fracas.

According to the sources, a file on that case was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a ruling.

The sources further say police personnel investigating the incident were told by the JDF corporal that he shot the man with his licensed firearm after he was attacked.

It appears that a similar story has been presented to investigators now probing the shooting at Double Diamond nightclub located in the Boulevard Super Centre.

Four persons were killed and five others, including the 31-year-old corporal, were injured in the Double Diamond shooting.

The Bureau of Special Investi-gations and the JDF are probing the incident.

Rage after argument

Several witnesses alleged that the soldier opened fire in rage after an argument with two men who objected to his attempts to dance with a woman.

In the meantime, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) yesterday confirmed that the club was operating without the necessary permit.

The club had attracted thousands of patrons since it was opened more than two years ago with pool tournaments, parties and twice-weekly karaoke sessions.

But KSAC Town Clerk, Errol Greene, says the club operated below the KSAC's radar and did not apply for a place-of-amusement licence.

"We normally go after those clubs which advertise, but we have not seen any advertisements including this club," Greene told The Gleaner yesterday.

He said KSAC officials will be visiting the club today or tomorrow for their first look at the facility.

Under law, operators of nightclubs and similar facilities are required to have a place-of-amusement licence, which is granted if the facility meets the standards set by the fire department and the municipal authority.

But with its single entrance also serving as the exit, the Double Diamond nightclub breached at least one of the basic safety rules.

The operators of the club could also find themselves in trouble with the KSAC over recent expansion work.