QUICK ACTION by a licensed firearm holder, yesterday morning, saved the life of a labourer, who was attacked by four gunmen on Orange Street in the vicinity of Torrington Bridge in Kingston.
According to police reports, the labourer was standing at the bus stop about 8:30 when four gunmen from Benbow Street in the Jones Town area rode up on bicycles and started firing shots at him.
A firearm holder who was passing at the same time took on the gunmen, killing one on the spot.
The labourer was, however, shot in the buttocks and was hospitalised. The dead man has been identified as Christopher Burke, otherwise called 'Chris'.
The police recovered a Smith and Wesson firearm and 17 rounds of ammunition. They are investigating the matter.
In the meantime, the police have credited the actions of the licensed firearm holder, who risked his life to save another.
Just recently, Opposition Senator, Prudence Kidd-Deans, during her contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate, called for the removal of red tape to allow average Jamaicans to obtain gun licences.
She said it was necessary as rampant criminality continues to claim hundreds of lives. Her comments had come some time after Opposition Member of Parliament, Delroy Chuck, made the same call.
