Gareth Manning, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Labour Party supporters attempt to stop a police vehicle from leaving the National Arena after a shooting at the party's 65th annual conference yesterday. The supporters claimed that a policeman being transported in the vehicle was responsible for the shooting. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Gunfire disrupted the 65th annual conference of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) yesterday, sparking a stampede at the National Arena. In a reaction last night, General Secretary Karl Samuda declared that the party will not yield to hooligans aiming to disrupt its business.

According to a statement from the JLP, the violence was triggered by an altercation between men that resulted in a policeman shooting one dead inside the arena. Two others were rushed to hospital after they were also shot.

"If it happens again, the Jamaica Labour Party will never terminate a conference under those con-ditions," Samuda told The Gleaner in reaction to whispered criticism that the conference should have been called off after the incident. "We will not yield to the hooligan elements."

Vexed supporters

What might have been a well-received speech from Party Leader Bruce Golding was soured as vexed supporters left the con-ference following a subsequent fracas with the police.

The first shots rang out backstage just as Party Deputy Leader and Finance Minister Audley Shaw was preparing to reveal yet another scandal related to the former People's National Party administration.

There was a stampede as people inside the crowded venue rushed from the exits to the front of the arena. Shaw appealed for calm as security personnel went to investigate.

Up to last night, it remained unclear what was at the heart of the incident as supporters claimed the police had shot unarmed men.

The police, however, disputed claims by witnesses, announcing that a 9mm pistol was seized during the incident. One man was reportedly taken into custody.

Police at the scene said the incident started between two groups of men. One group is believed to be from nearby Mountain View and the other from Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Gun drawn

The police intervened in the argument, but a gun was drawn by one of the men. Shots were fired and one man was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head.

The police pursued a group of men outside the arena after the incident in which the first man was shot and killed.

However, angry supporters staged a protest against the police, hurling expletives, bottles and stones as a vehicle transported a policeman they claimed was responsible for the shooting away from the scene.

The stand-off died down after party officials, Tom Tavares-Finson and others intervened and helped to calm the irate crowd.

Notwithstanding, tempers continued to flare outside the arena and the party continued with its conference indoors.

During his presentation, Golding said he was appalled at the occurrence and claimed such an incident had never happened before.

"I have been at conferences since 1968. What happened here today has never happened before. Therefore, it means we have some work to do," he told supporters.

In a release sent by the party later that evening, Samuda said a probe has been ordered into the incident. A review of all security arrangements for all party conferences is also to be done.

"[We] pledge the party's full cooperation with the police in leaving no stone unturned in unearthing the truth.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com