Roy McGann (1934–1980) was the first government official killed in the history of Jamaica.[1] He was a PNP politician serving as a member of the Parliament of Jamaica for St. Andrew parish. McGann was also the Deputy National Security Minister.[1]
Roy McGann | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Parliament of Jamaica from St. Andrew Parish. | |
| Killed in office | |
| Succeeded by | Joan Webley (née Gordon). |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1934 |
| Died | 1980 Gordon Town Square |
| Political party | People's National Party (PNP) |
Campaign and death
editRoy McGann, a candidate from the People's National Party, was campaigning for reelection in the 1980 Jamaican general election. On October 13, at around 6 P.M., a large group of Jamaica Labour Party members began assembling at St. Andrew's Gordon Town Square.[2] Tensions between the groups escalated when two busses of PNP members arrived at the Square before McGann, who arrived shortly after midnight. [2] Local police were also involved, and "during an ensuing melee five persons were shot" including McGann, his bodyguard, two JLP supporters, and a PNP supporter. It was unclear who started the shooting or why either group had assembled in Gordon Town Square.[2]
McCann died on October 14, 1980 roughly two weeks before the 1980 Jamaican general election on October 30.[2] There had been political violence since the announcement by Prime Minister Michael Manley in February of early elections, which eventually claimed more than 800 lives.[3][4] Fears were circulating of a communist takeover because of the support of the leftist Workers Party of Jamaica to the PNP.[4]
McGann's replacement as a candidate was Lloyd 'Perry' Stultz, who lost to Joan Webley (née Gordon), a member of the PNP.[4][2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Shipp, Randy (October 15, 1980). "Jamaican official killed in clash between factions". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Roy McGann Shot Dead". The Daily Gleaner. Vol. CXLVI, no. 244. Kingston, Jamaica. October 30, 1980. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ "Deputy minister killed in campaign shoot-out". UPI. October 14, 1980. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c Helps, Hg (October 30, 2012). "The bloody general election that changed Jamaica". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
External links
edit- Bloody hell! - Victims, ex-cop reflect on 1980 election violence (in Jamaican English).
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