Prime Minister Andrew Holness admonished Jamaicans to stop extending “grace” to criminals.
He was speaking at a post-cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, while responding to Monday’s fatal shooting of three persons, including two schoolboys, in St James.
“I am not here to stir up the nation into vengeance. But I think this country needs to stop sending mixed signals to criminals. They are not going to return any grace you give them. They are not reasonable people. They are terrorists – and must be treated as such,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Holness also used the opportunity to declare a state of emergency (SOE) in the parish of St James.
“It is the assessment of the security forces that the situation in St James merits this response and the use of emergency powers. I am sure that is not in debate,” he said.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness
The state of emergency (SOE), which took effect at midnight on Wednesday, will run for 14 days. Afterward, there must be Parliamentary approval for any extension.
States of emergency allow the security forces, or authorized individuals, enhanced powers of search and arrest and limit the rights of detained individuals to due process.
Gunmen used a woman as a shield to escape after a Western robbery.
SALEM, ST ANN, Jamaica – On Wednesday afternoon, November 8, 2023, gunmen held up the cashier and robbed a Western outlet in Salem, Runaway Bay in St Ann and used a woman they abducted as a human shield to help them escape with an undetermined sum of money.
According to reports, at about 12:35 p.m., two masked men entered the premises, and one of them pointed a firearm at the cashier and demanded money.
Information reaching our newsroom states that around 12:35 p.m., two masked men entered the store, and one brandished a firearm and pointed it at the cashier, demanding money.
Meanwhile, the other man used a hammer to break the glass shield at the cashier’s counter. They then proceeded to rob the establishment of an undetermined sum of cash.
Before leaving, the men forcibly took a woman and used her as a shield to aid their getaway. The men would subsequently release the woman a short distance away.
It is unclear whether the woman was an employee of the establishment.
The Runaway Bay police have launched an investigation and are searching for the robbers.
Uncle and nephew were gunned down in a Dunkirk gun attack.
EASTERN KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two men, said to be uncle and nephew, were shot and killed in McIntyre Villa, also known as Dunkirk, in Eastern Kingston on Wednesday afternoon, November 8, 2023.
The deceased have been identified by their aliases ‘Yellow Man’ and ‘Benja.’
According to reports, the shooting occurred at about 1:00 p.m. at a premises along West Avenue known as ‘Big Yard.’
‘Yellow Man’ and ‘Benja’ were attacked as they loaded household items onto a removal truck for ‘Benja’ mother, who had had enough of the community and was moving out.
According to word on the street, several residents in the community, including ‘Yellow Man’s eldest sister, questioned why he left himself exposed on November 8 – the day he and two others were shot last year at the exact location.
The community, popularly known as Dunkirk (correctly named McIntyre Villa), has been tense for months.
The authorities are maintaining a heavy police/military presence in the area.