Police urge persons with information on Kingston Central shooting to come forward

The High Command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is urging individuals with relevant information regarding Tuesday's incident in which Member of Parliament for Kingston Central Donovan Williams and members of his campaign team reportedly came under gunfire to come forward and support the process of justice.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that unidentified men opened fire in the direction of Williams while he was in the Kingston Central constituency and his security detail responded by returning fire.

In a media release on Thursday, the JCF sought to assure the public that its investigation of the matter will be conducted in a thorough, impartial and professional manner.

"The JCF views any report of gun violence with the utmost seriousness; particularly where it potentially threatens public safety or undermines the democratic process. We are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves, and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Branch are actively probing the circumstances surrounding the incident," it said.

It continued, "The JCF maintains a zero-tolerance approach to violence in all its forms, including any act that may be politically motivated. As the nation proceeds through what has thus far been a peaceful election campaign, the JCF urges all Jamaicans to refrain from any form of political violence and to play their part in ensuring that our elections remain free, fair, and free from fear.”

The Jamaica Labour Party has condemned the incident as "an offence to Jamaica’s democracy".

However, the People's National Party says it has "credible intelligence" that the incident arose from ongoing gang conflict within the community, rather than political targeting.

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