7 people in the Cayman Islands are seriously injured by gunfire at a soccer game, police say
7 people in the Cayman Islands are seriously injured by gunfire at a soccer game, police say
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — At least seven people were shot at a crowded soccer match in the Cayman Islands and were hospitalized with serious injuries, police said Monday.
The shooting that police believe could be gang-related occurred late Sunday in West Bay, located in the northwest point of Grand Cayman island, authorities said.
As of late Monday afternoon, four of seven victims were discharged from the hospital, Police Commissioner Kurt Walton said at a press conference.
He noted that while the investigation is ongoing, the hypothesis is that a lone shooter opened fire on a small group of people gathered in the stadium's northeast corner, seeking to kill at least two of them.
“This was a targeted attack,” he said.
Walton noted that four gangs originally operated in the Cayman Islands: two of them in the capital of George Town and two others in West Bay where the shooting occurred. Three of those gangs have since merged, but it's not clear if a certain gang was involved.
“I can't get into specifics,” Walton said.
The shooting occurred at the start of the match's second half, with some 200 to 300 people attending the game at the time, Walton said.
“This could have gone horribly, horribly bad,” he said. “We have never seen anything like this before.”
Authorities said the first shots were fired just outside the changing rooms at Ed Bush Field.
No one has been arrested, and police did not provide a motive. Authorities are requesting witnesses and anonymous tips and have offered a $300,000 reward leading to an arrest.
“It’s really challenging in such a small environment to get people to cooperate,” Walton said.
About a month ago, the police commissioner warned about a rise in gang-related crimes, especially in West Bay, where Sunday's shooting occurred. One man was fatally shot in January in that community, and another was injured days later.