On a day when Jamaicans and West Indians alike celebrated yet another victory at Sabina Park, there was only despair for a family a few miles away in August Town, St. Andrew, when a policeman's two-year-old daughter was murdered and four others injured in an early morning rampage by gunmen yesterday.

Reports are that at about 1:55 yesterday morning, gunmen kicked off the door of the house in which Tyra Lewis was sleeping and opened fire, killing the toddler and injuring four other family members including two children - one six, the other 12 years old - and two women aged 19 and 20. All six were taken to hospital. The house is owned by Tyra's father.

"We are in a crisis. This is an emergency situation," Betty-Ann Blaine, convenor of Hear the Children's Cry, said in immediate reaction to the shooting.

Action urgent

Ms. Blaine said an urgent response by both Government and society was needed to deal with the problems that have been contributing to the increased vulnerability of the nation's children.

"What is happening in the society is that the general lawlessness, the fact that there is so much crime, the fact there are so many guns; the fact that we have divided communities particularly now that elections are coming up. All of these contribute to the vulnerability of our children," Ms. Blaine surmised.

At least four children have been murdered already this year. Only four days ago two children, 15-year-old Tavia Smith and her six-year-old brother Tavak were murdered execution style in Portmore, St. Catherine by gunmen at their home on Robins Close.

Children's Advocate Mary Clarke is also condemning the murder of the toddler. She said the murder of this young child is reflective of the attitude of society to the sanctity of life and to its children.

"We have to see what we can do to bring back the sanctity of life and the respect and protection for our children," she said.

"I am very very distressed that it has happened again. I just hope the police will be quick on this one," said a distraught Mrs. Clarke.

Two men were taken in for questioning by the police in connection with the shooting. The Half-Way Tree Crime Investigative Bureau is probing the incident.