Authorities in Jamaica have introduced curfews following two recent shootings that left six people dead, including a four-year-old child, and nine others injured, as suspected gang violence continues to affect the island.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday night when unidentified attackers drove past a gathering in Kingston and fired into the crowd. According to Beresford Williams, a senior police officer in Kingston Central, six people were shot, including two nine-year-olds and two teenagers. One of the teenagers later died on Wednesday morning.
Another attack took place on Sunday near Linstead, northwest of the capital, where five people, among them a four-year-old, were killed. Police have not yet identified a motive for either incident.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who visited grieving families in Linstead, called the violence "criminal terrorism" meant to instill fear. "We must focus on the victims: the children left without a mother, the father mourning his son who will never have children of his own, the grandmother overwhelmed by grief," he said.
Police Commissioner Kevin Blake urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement, stating, "We must reject this brutality and deny criminals safe haven. Our efforts to bring them to justice will not stop." A curfew in Linstead remains in effect from 6 p.m. Monday until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Official figures show Jamaica has recorded 522 killings as of October 4—a decrease from 883 in the same period last year.
Holness acknowledged progress but stressed the work is unfinished: "We are moving in the right direction, but all Jamaicans must unite against crime. Those responsible must face justice—there will be no protection for them."
Much of Jamaica’s violence is linked to illegal firearms smuggled from abroad.
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