Murder figures worrying; more than 80 killed so far

With just nineteen days into the new year, reports are indicating a worrying increase in the number of murders.
   
A tally by RJR News reveals that more than 80 people have been murdered so far.
   
Western Jamaica continues to experience record levels of murders, with 22 deaths since the start of the year in Westmoreland and Hanover alone.
   
The spate of shootings across the island has left at least 12 victims in the last 36 hours.
   
In Williamsfield, Hanover, three persons, including a one year-old and a five year-old, were killed on Wednesday night.
   
There were double murders on Thursday in Clarendon and St. Elizabeth.             

On Wednesday afternoon, a man was fatally shot in Avon Park, St. Andrew, another was shot and killed in Bayside, Portmore on Wednesday night, while a businessman was killed in St. Ann.     
   
Last year, 1,350 people were murdered in Jamaica.