The police are reporting that two teenage girls were left nursing gunshot wounds on Thursday after separate incidents of what is believed to be illegal gun salutes to mark the dawn of the new year.

This despite repeated warnings from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) against the dangerous and unlawful practice.

In one incident, about 12:02 am on Thursday, a 13-year-old Canadian, who was visiting relatives, was standing on a balcony at a residence along Dreamland Drive in Portmore, St Catherine, observing new year’s fireworks celebrations when she was struck by bullets.

The police report that moments after midnight loud explosions were heard, after which the teen felt sharp pains to her thigh and back. She was taken to hospital where she has been admitted in stable condition.

In a similar incident, a 14-year-old girl from Bond Street in downtown Kingston was also injured at approximately 12:02 am while sitting beneath a tree in her community.

The teen reported feeling a burning sensation to her shoulder, after which it was discovered that she had been shot. She was also taken to hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

In a media release on Thursday, the JCF said it “strongly condemns this reckless and irresponsible behaviour, once again emphasising that gun salutes are illegal, extremely dangerous, and pose a serious threat to innocent lives. These incidents underscore the real and devastating consequences of discharging firearms indiscriminately”.