In a statement before Jamaica’s Parliament, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has condemned the killing of two primary school students in Salt Spring, St. James on Monday evening.
He said, “Today, our nation mourns the loss of two innocent young souls, aged just nine and seven, who were mercilessly taken from us in a senseless act of violence. They were not involved in any conflict or dispute; they were just children with dreams and futures ahead of them.”
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He described the gun attack as a “barbaric and merciless act of terror” and said it demonstrates once again that gunmen and gangs are a clear and present threat to the foundations of Jamaica’s free and democratic society.
The male students were among three people shot and killed while they were reportedly aboard a taxi in Salt Spring, St James. They are: 7 year old Justin Perry, 9 year old Nahcoliva Smith and 26 year old laborer Tevin Hayle, all from Salt Spring.
Reports are that around 5:20 p.m. The two male students were reportedly traveling in a taxi on their way home from school when the taxi was shot up by gunmen who alighted from the bushes and opened fire at the vehicle. The children and Hayle received gun shot wounds to their heads, and were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Holness’ statement reads:
“Through the wanton use of violence, gangs and gunmen hold entire communities hostage, depriving citizens of their economic livelihood and their rights to move, speak, and associate freely in their communities.
“They violate the ultimate right of every human being, the right to life. However, these gunmen choose to execute their wanton violence indiscriminately in public spaces and on innocent civilians, including children.
“This indiscriminate and random violence not only creates local fear, but also creates a national feeling of insecurity as the probability of being a victim rises for everyone. These gunmen and gang members are not mere criminals, they are like terrorists and should be treated as such,” the prime minister said.
“It is unfortunate that we not only battle these criminal terrorists, but we must also contend with a narrative that oftentimes seems to offer greater protection to criminals with lighter sentences and preservation of their lives and freedoms, rather than supporting stronger punitive, proactive, and pre-emptive measures against these terrorists while securing redress and restoration for the victims.”
“I have no doubt that the perpetrator of this act will be caught in short order by our police. However, this is after the fact of the loss of innocent lives. We must implement tougher measures to create greater deterrence against the commission of these acts of terror. This is why we have passed a new Bail Act and a new Firearms Act, which increased the penalty for the possession and use of illegal firearms. And this is why we have before Parliament an amendment to increase the scheme of penalty for murder, We must speak with one voice in condemning this wanton and brutal murder of our children; likewise, we must also speak with one clear voice that we will apply the penalties with the greatest deterrent effect to the criminal terrorist to ensure that such senseless acts of terror never happen again. Enough is enough,”
Holness assured citizens that his administration will continue to invest in increasing the capacity and capability of security forces to intercept and interdict criminals.
