Cops probing if teens injured during gun salutes

Two teenage girls are nursing gunshot wounds believed to be the result of separate incidents of illegal gun salutes.

This, despite repeated warnings from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) against the dangerous and unlawful practice. In one incident, about 12:02 a.m. on Thursday, a 13-year-old Canadian national 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. Moments after midnight, loud explosions were heard, after which the teen felt sharp pains to her thigh and back. She was assisted to hospital, where she has been admitted in stable condition.

In a similar incident, a 14-year-old girl from Bond Street in Kingston was also injured at approximately 12:02 a.m. 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.

The JCF, in a statement, 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," the JCF said through its Constabulary Communications Network.

Investigations into both shootings are ongoing. Detectives assigned to the St Catherine South and Kingston Western Divisions are working to determine the origin of the gunfire and identify those responsible. The JCF is urging anyone with information that may assist these investigations to come forward. Persons may contact Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the police emergency number at 119, or make a report to the nearest police station.