Peter Bunting, the Shadow Minister for Citizen Security, has strongly criticised Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ response to the recent mass shooting on Waltham Park Road, which left five people dead.

Bunting rejected the Prime Minister’s description of the event as a “multiple victim violent incident,” accusing Holness of downplaying the frequency and severity of mass shootings in Jamaica. He argued that this rhetoric diminishes the impact of these tragedies on local communities and the international perception of the country.

Bunting also expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s claim that the violence reflects Jamaica’s effective approach to tackling gangs, asserting that the rise in killings is a sign of failure in national security policy. With Jamaica’s murder count surpassing 1,000 by 25 November 2024, Bunting pointed to the stark contrast between the government’s projections of reducing murders and the reality on the ground.

Moreover, Bunting raised questions about the accuracy of the country’s murder statistics, suggesting that a significant number of deaths are classified as “undetermined,” which may later be categorised as homicides, highlighting the need for transparency from the government. He called for decisive action to combat violence, restore public safety, and rebuild trust in the justice system.

In his statement, Bunting also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and urged authorities to use all available resources to bring those responsible for the shooting to justice.