KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has vowed that the killing of 17-year-old schoolgirl Mickolle

Moultan, which he said represents one of the vilest attacks on our young women, will not be in vain.

The Meadowbrook High School student was shot dead and her 12- year-old sister shot and injured in their Arnett Gardens community on Sunday.

According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Holness made the vow when he visited Moltan’s mother this afternoon.

“I thought I would come here and say your daughter’s death cannot be in vain. We have to put a stop to it to prevent other innocent girls and boys from being killed. This could be anybody’s child. This is a great distress but we are resolved to deal with it and to support you in this time,” the prime minister said.

OPM noted that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and professional counselling services have been tasked with providing assistance.

Holness further called on the police to spare no effort in investigating the killing and urged members of the community to tell what they know and to cooperate with the police in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“There can be no divide on crime in the country. We all have to come together and draw a line in the sand and those with the criminals should recognise the criminals are no respecter of lives. They will turn on you one day,” he emphasised.

Holness also reassured that the government is moving quickly to implement the Zones of Special Operations and to ensure “we bring safety, security and peace and prosperity to the Jamaican people”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, which also condemned Moltan’s death, has called on the nation to “stand resolute that all acts of crime should be frowned on and be eradicated at all levels across Jamaica”.

“We call on Jamaicans home and abroad to condemn this killing of one of our promising stars as we ensure that justice is served,” the ministry said in a release today.

The ministry said it anticipates that the perpetrators of this senseless act will be quickly apprehended and justice served.

“Our heartfelt sympathy and support are extended to the family of young Micholle and to the school family of Meadowbrook High School. We also wish for a speedy and complete recovery for her sister, who was injured in the brazen attack”, the ministry said.