Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday announced that a State of Public Emergency (SOE) has been declared for the entire parish of St James.

He was speaking at a post-cabinet press briefing.

Holness says it is the assessment of the security forces that the situation in St James merits this response.

The SOE comes on the heels of several murders, including the deaths of two students, in the parish.

On Tuesday night, seven-year-old Justin Perry and nine-year-old Nahcoliva Smith, both students; and Tevin Hayle, otherwise called ‘Bancel’, 26, were shot dead when a gunman opened fire on a taxi they were in. Police believe Hayle was the intended target of the gunman.

READ: Students killed in Salt Spring triple murder identified

On October 26, students of Salt Spring Primary School were left traumatised by the shooting deaths of 22-year- old Imani Jarrett and her common-law husband, 30-year-old Odane Smith.

According to the police, armed thugs intercepted a taxi, removed the couple and opened fire killing both of them.

READ: Double murder in Salt Spring, St James

Just mere hours later, Anthony Forbes was shot and killed in the early hours of Friday morning while at home with his son. His son was injured during the attack which saw assailants kicking in the door to their dwelling.

READ: Third murder in Salt Spring in 12 hours

On Tuesday, deputy mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon called for the return of the SOE.

READ: MoBay deputy mayor calls for return of SOE after students killed in Salt Spring