(Jamaica Gleaner) A Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporter has been shot dead while three others are now hospitalised, one critically, after they were attacked at a political meeting in Westmoreland around 9 p.m.
The meeting was being held in Sav-la-mar by the JLP’s Westmoreland Central candidate, Marlene Malahoo-Forte.
A shaken Malahoo Forte spoke with The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre by telephone from the Sav-la-mar hospital a short while ago.
“I was speaking, I was closing the meeting when a barrage of gunshots began firing,” said Malahoo-Forte.
“I was on stage closing down my campaign.”
Initial police reports suggest that four gunmen walked up to the crowd at the meeting and opened fire before escaping through the nearby Savanna-la-mar market.
Malahoo Forte says it is believed that the attack was purely political as intelligence had suggested that there would be “bloodshed before defeat.”
According to her, the JLP has been closing in on the PNP’s margin of favourability towards the incumbent Roger Clarke.
But Malahoo Forte says she will not be deterred by any act of political intimidation.
