Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government will continue to crackdown on criminals who he says are responsible for 70 percent of murders in the country.

He also asserted that there will be more investment to prevent illegal guns from entering the country. Prime Minister Holness became emotional during his address at the national day of prayer. The Prime Minister, while addressing the brutal murder of 10-year-old Jezariah Tyrell, who was shot dead on Thursday and the slaying of 2 Westmoreland brothers on Tuesday, was overcome with emotion.

The prime minister says stronger efforts will be made to prevent the importation of illegal weapons. He says Jamaica has a root problem of maintaining peace in family and community that feeds into the national issue of violence.