Police nab suspect in shooting of 13-y-o girl on New Year's Day

A man wanted in connection with the shooting of a 13-year-old Canadian girl on her balcony on New Year's Day has been arrested following a police operation in Braeton, Portmore.

Reports from the St Catherine police say that at around 5:00 a.m. on January 6, members of the Area Five Fugitive Apprehension Team, armed with a search warrant, raided a home on Violet Close. During the search, police discovered a 45 Colt MK pistol with a magazine containing a round of ammunition.

The 37-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition.

The arrest comes after the January 1 incident at about 12:02 a.m., when the teen was standing on a balcony along Dreamland Drive, Portmore, watching New Year's fireworks, and was struck by bullets in her thigh and back. Loud explosions had been heard moments after midnight. She was taken to hospital and admitted in stable condition.

Police confirmed that the suspect had been under investigation for the shooting and urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward.

- Rasbert Turner

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