1,161 and counting
published: Wednesday | October 20, 2004

By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter

WITH A little over two months remaining on the calendar, 2004 will go down as the bloodiest year in Jamaica's recorded history, with 1,161 persons ­ up to press time last night ­ having being murdered.

This staggering figure has eclipsed the 1,139 murders recorded in 2001. The 1,045 murders recorded in 2002 have been reduced to third on Jamaica's infamous list of most homicides committed in a single year.

According to police data, the 324 reprisal killings since the start of the year have accounted for the bulk of the murders. Next in line is domestic violence, which accounts for 259 of the total figure. This is followed by gang-related killings which have already accounted for 203 lives.

The statistics further revealed that robbery and drug related killings were the motives behind 146 and 19 of the total number of murders respectively. A most disturbing statistic is the 185 murders for which the police are yet to establish a motive. Meanwhile, mob killings stand at 19.

PREFERRED WEAPON

The gun remains the leading life-taker and the preferred weapon for criminals, accounting for 868 of the 1,161 killings. The knife and the machete were used in 148 and 61 of the remaining murders respectively.

Of the 1,161 murders, 122 of the victims were women and 10 children. Nine police officers and a soldier are also among the fatalities. Also, four security guards and 16 taxi operators were slain.

The week of August 9 ­ 15, 2004, with 47 reported cases of murder, remains the bloodiest week of the year. Last week's 44 ranks third behind the 45 reported cases for the week May 31 ­ June 6. The month of June, with 150 reported killings, makes it the bloodiest month so far in the year. According to crime figures, this is a colossal jump from the 83 persons murdered in June 2003.

Most of the murders since the start of the year have occurred in the St. Andrew South division, which has witnessed the death of approximately 200 persons. Not so far behind is the St. Catherine North division with 189 murders. St. Catherine South and St. James have also surpassed the 100 mark, with 117 and 106 respectively.