KINGSTON, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies (UWI) is clarifying media reports that a taxi operator picked up passengers from the Mona Campus and was shot and injured by one of the passengers.

In a statement this afternoon, the UWI said that the reports are not true and sought to explain what had been reported to them.

UWI said that at a approximately 9:23 pm yesterday, a motor vehicle sped from Golding Avenue and crashed through the closed exit barrier mounted at the Irvine Hall gate to the Mona Campus.  

The motor vehicle came to a stop after turning right unto Seacole Close, UWI said.

Explosions were allegedly heard and it was later discovered that the driver had been shot by his hijackers who alighted from the vehicle and ran south of the campus towards the Mona Bowl area.

The security guard at the Irvine Hall gate alerted the security base and members of Campus Security and the Jamaica Constabulary Force conducted a search on the campus and in surrounding areas for the criminals, UWI said.

The university also said the activities in relation to this incident were captured by closed circuit camera.

The UWI said that they regret the injury to the taxi operator but is grateful that no member of the campus community was involved in the incident.