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One killed as shooting mars JLP conference
Sunday, 16 November 2008
The 65th annual conference of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Sunday was marred by two separate shooting incidents which left one person dead and two others wounded.
The shooting occurred minutes before Party Leader and Prime Minister Bruce Golding addressed the party faithful who had crammed into the National Arena.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw was in the throes of his address when explosions pierced the air.
Panic set in as people near to the stage, where the sounds came from, dived for cover.
That shooting is reportedly linked to an incident involving a policeman who allegedly opened fire on a group of JLP supporters.
Party officials on the stage were obviously jarred and National Security Minister Colonel Trevor MacMillan immediately left the stage to ascertain the circumstances which led to the incident.
Blood stains told the tale that someone had been hit.
Scores of JLP supporters demanding justice converged on a high level police team and the National Security Minister.
But even before that dust had settled, there were reports of another shooting outside the Arena.
Assistant Commissioner Baldwin Burey who was in charge of police operations at the Arena, told RJR News team two factions squared off when shots were fired.
He said a gun had already been seized and top level investigations begun.
An obviously angry Mr. Golding, who took the podium shortly after the shooting, refrained from speculating on the circumstances behind the shooting incident.
"I don't know who pulled the trigger, I don't even know who was shot ... I don't speculate, we're an open party ... when we stage our conference our doors are open ... when I walk into this arena, I assume that everybody who have on a green shirt is a member of the Labour Party family ... I assume and until I know otherwise, that is the assumption that I have to make," he said.
In the wake of the incidents, Mr. Golding said the Party will be taking a closer look at security issues at Conference.
JLP orders investigation into shootings
Meanwhile, JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda has ordered an investigation into all the circumstances related to the shooting.
In a release, the JLP said it strongly condemned the incident which it said marred an otherwise successful conference.
The party also expressed regret at the loss of life and the injuries to two other persons.
Mr. Samuda also pledged the party's full cooperation with the police.
The JLP Geberal Secretary also reiterated Mr. Golding's promise of a thorough review of all the security arrangements for future conferences.
Sunday, 16 November 2008
The 65th annual conference of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on Sunday was marred by two separate shooting incidents which left one person dead and two others wounded.
The shooting occurred minutes before Party Leader and Prime Minister Bruce Golding addressed the party faithful who had crammed into the National Arena.
Finance Minister Audley Shaw was in the throes of his address when explosions pierced the air.
Panic set in as people near to the stage, where the sounds came from, dived for cover.
That shooting is reportedly linked to an incident involving a policeman who allegedly opened fire on a group of JLP supporters.
Party officials on the stage were obviously jarred and National Security Minister Colonel Trevor MacMillan immediately left the stage to ascertain the circumstances which led to the incident.
Blood stains told the tale that someone had been hit.
Scores of JLP supporters demanding justice converged on a high level police team and the National Security Minister.
But even before that dust had settled, there were reports of another shooting outside the Arena.
Assistant Commissioner Baldwin Burey who was in charge of police operations at the Arena, told RJR News team two factions squared off when shots were fired.
He said a gun had already been seized and top level investigations begun.
An obviously angry Mr. Golding, who took the podium shortly after the shooting, refrained from speculating on the circumstances behind the shooting incident.
"I don't know who pulled the trigger, I don't even know who was shot ... I don't speculate, we're an open party ... when we stage our conference our doors are open ... when I walk into this arena, I assume that everybody who have on a green shirt is a member of the Labour Party family ... I assume and until I know otherwise, that is the assumption that I have to make," he said.
In the wake of the incidents, Mr. Golding said the Party will be taking a closer look at security issues at Conference.
JLP orders investigation into shootings
Meanwhile, JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda has ordered an investigation into all the circumstances related to the shooting.
In a release, the JLP said it strongly condemned the incident which it said marred an otherwise successful conference.
The party also expressed regret at the loss of life and the injuries to two other persons.
Mr. Samuda also pledged the party's full cooperation with the police.
The JLP Geberal Secretary also reiterated Mr. Golding's promise of a thorough review of all the security arrangements for future conferences.
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