KINGSTON, Jamaica – Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams says there is no evidence of political motivation in last night’s shooting incident at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) mass rally at the Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay, St James.

Preliminary reports are that two men were shot dead while three others were injured. However, Williams said in a release a short while ago that a total of six people were injured.

The dead men are 22-year-old Javin Campbell and another man identified only by his alias ‘Chow’.  The police claim that both men are members of separate gangs that operate in the Flanker community of St James.

“The shooting resulted from a dispute among known persons who were in attendance at the public meeting.  We are aware that prior to the shooting, there were attempts by other persons at the meeting to quell the dispute,” Williams said.

He expressed confidence that the case will be solved based on “some very good leads” that the police are working with.

The Commissioner’s statement in full:

I condemn in the strongest terms the shooting incident, which occurred at the JLP public meeting in Sam Sharpe Square last night that resulted in the death of two persons and the injuring of six others.

Based on our investigations so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the incident was politically motivated. The shooting resulted from a dispute among known persons who were in attendance at the public meeting.  We are aware that prior to the shooting, there were attempts by other persons at the meeting to quell the dispute.

This incident proves the point that whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself, it will be exploited by criminal elements.

I am satisfied that there was an adequate number of police officers supported by military personnel deployed to provide security at the meeting.

The investigations have commenced and we have some very good leads that we are following.  We are confident that this case will be solved.  I am appealing to anyone who can assist us in the investigation to come forward and do so.  Even as we conduct the investigation into this matter, we remain committed to ensuring that the rest of the election campaign period is as peaceful as possible.