An unreported threat made against the father of the seven-year-old child who was shot and injured in Lyssons, St Thomas, on Monday, is being investigated as the cause of the shooting, THE STAR understands.

Information reaching our news team is that the St Thomas police on Tuesday detained the man believed to have made the threat three days before the shooting.

alleged threat

THE STAR was told that the father had a dispute with a man from the area, during which threats were made against his life. Our news team gathered that the alleged threat was not reported to the police. The seven-year-old remains hospitalised.

Deputy Superintendent Charmaine Shand of the St Thomas police confirmed that the police, since the shooting, have received reports of a threat.

Shand said: "The suspect is in custody and is to undergo question and answer in the presence of his lawyer. The police visited the child yesterday (Tuesday) at the hospital, he's not talking but appears to be in stable condition."

It is reported that the boy was asleep with relatives in a one-room board house when explosions were heard about 4 a.m. Shortly after, he was seen with gunshot wounds to his side.

The police are seeking the public's assistance in their investigation of the shooting. Anyone with information can contact the Morant Bay Criminal Investigation Branch at 982-1027 or 982-2233, police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.