Jamaica Imposes Curfews After Deadly Gang Shootings Claim Six Lives

Jamaica has imposed curfews in Kingston and Linstead after gang shootings left six people dead, including a child, highlighting the nation’s ongoing struggle with gun violence despite a decline in homicides.

Authorities in Jamaica have imposed strict curfews across parts of Kingston and Linstead following two deadly shootings that left six people dead — including a four-year-old child — and nine others wounded in suspected gang-related violence.

The latest attack on Tuesday night saw heavily armed gunmen open fire on a group gathered in the capital, killing a teenage boy and injuring several other children. Police believe the assault is linked to ongoing turf wars between rival gangs vying for control of extortion routes and drug operations.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness condemned the killings as “an act of criminal terrorism,” vowing that the government “will not allow gangsters to hold communities hostage.” He urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement as security forces ramp up patrols and intelligence operations in affected areas.

Police Commissioner Kevin Blake described the attacks as “senseless and cowardly,” appealing to residents to stop protecting gang members. “Every time we shelter these criminals, we embolden them to destroy more lives,” he said.

Despite a reported 41% decline in homicides this year — the sharpest drop in over a decade — Jamaica remains one of the most violent countries in the Caribbean, with gang conflicts accounting for the majority of murders.

Officials say many of the weapons used in these attacks are smuggled from the United States, a persistent challenge for Caribbean law enforcement agencies battling illicit gun trafficking networks.

The government has pledged to strengthen border controls and expand its anti-gang legislation, but critics argue that deeper reforms — including social investment in impoverished communities — are essential to breaking the cycle of violence.

As residents mourn the young victims, local leaders have called for national reflection and unity. “Each child lost to bullets is a wound on the nation’s soul,” said Reverend Carlton Johnson of the Kingston Parish Church. “We must rebuild not just our security, but our humanity.”