KINGSTON, Jamaica — Gender Minister Olivia Grange says the man seen in a viral video attacking a nurse employed at the University Hospital of the West Indies must face “severe consequences”.

According to Minister Grange, the act of “savagery seen in the video goes against everything that we stand for in Jamaica”.

“What we witnessed in that video was a bully, a coward and a brute attacking a defenceless woman while holding what appears to be a gun,” Grange said.

“There is no excuse for abuse, and we have to ensure that this person is caught and that he faces the full weight of the law. There has to be severe consequences for violence against women,” she added.

The incident reportedly took place on Mount Airy Road on Tuesday night.

The circumstances that led to the incident are still unclear but it is understood that sometime after 7:00 pm, the man and the nurse were driving separate vehicles along the roadway when the man became enraged and attacked the woman.

A video of the incident that went viral on social media Thursday night shows the man with a gun in his hand, brutally assaulting the nurse, including stomping on her head.

READ: Man seen beating nurse in viral video held by police

Minister Grange has pledged her support to the victim.

The Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has since launched an investigation into the incident.

READ: FLA launches probe after firearm holder seen assaulting nurse in viral video