Kingston – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, expressed shock and outrage at the killing of a woman during a church service, even as police confirmed on Monday that they had the suspected shooter and a relative of the victim among four people in custody.
Police had reported that Andrea Lowe-Garwood was in a worship session at her church, Agape Christian Fellowship, in Falmouth, Trelawny on Sunday around 10:30 a.m., when a man posing as a member of the congregation shot her several times before escaping in a car.
The 51-year-old bank manager was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, at a digital press briefing on Monday, said police had the suspected triggerman. He said the man had turned himself into police, accompanied by his lawyer.
Three others, including Lowe-Garwood’s stepson, are also in custody.
“The horrific circumstances of the killing of the woman in her church should serve as a wakeup call for all Jamaicans,” Grange said.
“The entire country must now get involved in efforts to end crime and violence, as it requires all of us to end the violence, and it will take all of us to defend Jamaica against the criminals.”
Police investigators said Lowe-Garwood’s murder stemmed from a family dispute over property that followed the death of her husband Jeffrey Garwood in a car crash in July 2020.
Lowe-Garwood was an employee of the National Commercial Bank. The bank said it has made grief counselling arrangements for its team members and the family members of the deceased. (CMC)
