Two Teenage Girls Shot During Illegal Gun Salutes on New Year’s Day
Jamaica Live News Desk– | Jan 1, 2026
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has confirmed that two teenage girls are nursing gunshot wounds believed to be the result of separate incidents of illegal gun salutes, despite repeated warnings against the dangerous and unlawful practice.
In one incident, at approximately 12:02 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, 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, watching New Year’s fireworks celebrations. Moments after midnight, loud explosions were heard, after which the teenager felt sharp pains to her thigh and back. She was rushed to hospital, where she has been admitted in stable condition.
In a similar incident around the same time, a 14-year-old girl from Bond Street in Kingston was injured while sitting beneath a tree in her community. She reported feeling a burning sensation in her shoulder, after which it was discovered that she had been shot. She was also taken to hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
The JCF has strongly condemned what it described as reckless and irresponsible behaviour, once again stressing that gun salutes are illegal, extremely dangerous, and pose a serious threat to innocent lives. The police say these incidents highlight the real and devastating consequences of indiscriminately discharging firearms, particularly during celebrations.
Investigations into both shootings are ongoing. Detectives assigned to the St. Catherine South and Kingston Western divisions are actively working to determine the source of the gunfire and identify those responsible.
The JCF is urging anyone with information that could assist the investigations to come forward. Persons may contact Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the Police Emergency number at 119, or report to the nearest police station.
Jamaica Live will continue to monitor this developing story.