Prime Minister condemns shooting and arson attack that claimed three lives in St Andrew.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has issued a strong condemnation of a deadly attack in St Andrew that claimed three lives on Friday evening. According to the Jamaica Observer, the incident involved both gunfire and arson, with armed men targeting at least two residences on Kidd Lane around 11:30pm.
The deceased have been identified as 30-year-old Lashane Ellis, her one-year-old son Kaheel Daley, and 39-year-old Kimeisha Gibson. The Jamaica Observer reports that gunmen invaded the home occupied by Ellis and her son, opened fire, and set the building ablaze before turning their weapons on Gibson in an adjacent property.
In a statement released Saturday, Holness characterized the attack as terrorism designed to instill fear in communities. He emphasized that law-abiding citizens should not be forced to abandon their neighbourhoods due to gang violence, declaring instead that “it is the gunmen who must flee.” The Prime Minister has directed Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang to give the case urgent priority.
Holness reaffirmed his administration’s broader crime-fighting efforts, noting that Jamaica has reduced its murder rate by half and cut active gangs by more than half. However, he acknowledged that organized criminals and armed individuals remain a persistent threat requiring sustained action.
The Prime Minister appealed to residents to reclaim their communities by sharing information about the incident through established protected channels, framing community cooperation as essential to achieving lasting peace and security.
Jamaica has faced persistent challenges with gang violence and organized crime, though recent years have seen measurable improvements in crime statistics under the current administration’s security initiatives.
This incident reflects the ongoing struggle with violent crime and gang activity that affects communities across the Caribbean region, highlighting the security challenges facing island nations and the importance of community-led solutions to criminal violence.
Sources and attribution
- Jamaica Observer
- October 2026 – Jamaica Constabulary Force
- Kidd Lane Killings Linked To Intra-gang Feud – Chang
Written & Edited by Orlyn Edwards. Published by Caribbean Air Force Media.
Category: News · Island routing: Jamaica