Bunting Accuses Holness of Downplaying Frequency of Mass Killings

Opposition spokesperson for national security, Senator Peter Bunting, has accused Prime Minister Andrew Holness of downplaying the frequency of mass killings in the country.

His comment is in relation to the Waltham Park Road killings on Monday.

Four men were killed when gunmen opened fire at patrons playing dominoes at a bar at 85 Lane, off Waltham Park Road, Kingston 11. The police say another man, who was also shot in the incident, remains in hospital in critical condition.

Another man was also shot dead at 75 Lane, also off Waltham Park. Both incidents happened just after 7 pm.

Videos circulated on social media showed the bodies lying on the roadway.

Senator Bunting says Monday’s incident is another blot against the prime minister’s claim that gangs across the country are being neutralised.

He has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and called on authorities to exhaust all resources in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.

Meanwhile, Senator Bunting is questioning the murder statistics for the year.

In its latest statistics, the Jamaica Constabulary Force says 1,045 people were killed up to November 25. It says this represents a 17.5 per cent reduction in homicides when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Senator Bunting says the prime minister’s own projections for murders will be missed.

Senator Peter Bunting,Opposition Spokesperson for National Security.