Shootings during JLP 65th Conference leave one dead, two injured

~~Adz:Right~~ KINGSTON, Jamaica - THE 65th Annual Conference of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was interrupted on Sunday (Nov. 16) when shots rang out at its venue, the National Arena, leaving one man fatally wounded, two others injured and blame for the incident being cast on the police.

Sources have indicated that the incident occurred sometime shortly after 2:00 p.m. and, according to www.caribbean360.com, the first shots were heard when Finance Minister Audley Shaw, who is also the party’s Deputy General Secretary, was “on the platform...”

The media house reports that “screaming delegates” scattered after hearing the sound of gunfire,  and while details of and a motive for the incident are still unclear, the Jamaica Observer reports that according to a man who attended the conference, the fracas began inside the arena to the back of the stage on which JLP Leader PM Bruce Golding and other ministers of government sat.

The Jamaica Observer further reports that according to the man, “It all started from a scuffle and then all we hear is when the first shot buss in the building. This was followed by two others.”

Information received by the Observer from a senior police officer confirmed that the shooting incident involved persons who were in attendance of the JLP Annual Conference.

“Based on early information, one person was shot inside the arena, while another two were shot outside in front of the arena. A 9mm pistol was seized by the police,” the Observer quoted the Constabulary Communication Network as saying.

It also quoted a JLP statement on the matter as saying, “The incident arose from an apparent altercation between individuals which led to one being shot dead by police.”

Just outside the arena, irate individuals blamed the law enforcement officers for the occurrence and pelted missiles at them, which forced them to take refuge in armoured vehicles.

The JLP statement further noted that “the party wishes to express its deep regret at this very unfortunate loss of life and injury”.

The Observer’s report stated that according to the JLP, General-Secretary Karl Samuda, “has ordered an immediate investigation into all circumstances related to the incident and pledged the party’s full co-operation with the police in leaving no stone unturned in unearthing the truth”.