The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is calling on the police to heighten their presence in the Halls Avenue/Free School area of Portland Eastern following a second shooting attack on one of the party’s supporters. According to a statement from the party, one of its supporters was seriously injured in a gun attack last night and remains in hospital receiving treatment. Two other people were reportedly injured in the incident.

The shooting follows last Thursday’s murder of a JLP supporter, Kevin McKenzie, on West Street in the constituency. The JLP said it notes comments made by McKenzie’s relative that he and several supporters of the JLP had received death threats a day before his killing because they had switched allegiance from the People’s National Party. The party is condemning all acts of criminality and said it rejects any attempt to use violence to intimidate people for political gain or any other purpose. The shootings come just days before the April 4 by-election in Portland Eastern.(Jamaica Observer)…[+]