KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Senator Peter Bunting says Prime Minister Andrew Holness should call “mass shootings” what they are.

Displeased with Holness’ response to the latest incident in Waltham Park Road, St Andrew, which claimed five lives, Bunting condemned the prime minister’s characterisation of the killings as a “multiple victim violent incident”, calling it a euphemistic attempt to downplay the frequent incidents of what he said are in fact mass shootings.

In a press release on Tuesday Bunting said, “The prime minister’s minimization of the horrific incident is a disservice to the victims and their grieving families. No amount of public relations spin can obscure the grim reality of an increasing trend of mass shootings in our nation. International media outlets, including the Associated Press, Toronto Sun, The Washington Post, ABC News and others have all reported this tragic incident at Waltham Park Rd as a mass shooting.”

The senator further criticised the prime minister’s assertion that the killings reflect “…our very effective approach in neutralizing, eradicating, and in many respects disbanding gangs.”
Bunting contented: “This kind of bloodshed must never be described as a policing success. What it represents is a profound failure of national security policy and a collapse of public safety in many of our communities.”

The People’s National Party (PNP) spokesperson on citizen security and productivity lashed out at a claim by the prime minister that the country was on track to record less than 1,000 murders this year.

“With five weeks remaining in 2024, the rising figures underscore the failure of the Andrew Holness Administration to deliver on promises of people sleeping with their windows and doors open,” he said.

Adding to his critique, Bunting questioned the completeness of Jamaica’s murder statistics. Reports suggest that between 100 and 200 deaths are currently categorised as “undetermined” though many of those will ultimately be adjudged to be homicides.

“The Jamaican people deserve full and prompt disclosure from the government in this regard,” Bunting said.

“Increasing incidents of mass shootings in Jamaica should be neither normal nor acceptable. What this country needs is decisive and comprehensive action to restore safety, rebuild trust, and end this senseless violence,” Bunting added.

Bunting also extended condolences to the families of the deceased, and called on authorities to exhaust all resources in bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.