A teenager is said to be in a critical condition at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center after he was reportedly stabbed during the annual Boxing Day Street Jam at Point.

According to reports, the youngster who was critically injured is from Grays Farm.

During the event, young men allegedly between the ages of 11, 12, 13, and possibly 14 were seen passing through the band with a cutlass and a knife.

They were apparently looking for someone. The annual street jam ended prematurely.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says youth violence is becoming a critical problem here and in the broader Caribbean region, requiring an all-of-society intervention.

He says urgent and sustained interventions are required by all stakeholders, starting with parents. 

“We need to raise better-cultured children who are hardworking, empathetic, disciplined, and not oriented to use violence to resolve conflicts.  This issue threatens to undermine our developmental gains, and attainment of the SDGs requires an all-of-society intervention,” according to Browne.

PM Browne said the situation requires the support and interventions of parents, teachers, policymakers, church leaders, and the broader community to resolve the issue effectively. 

“Blaming one group of stakeholders is like kicking the can down the road.  Let’s take collective responsibility in nurturing a softer, more cultured, and productive society,” Browne added.

It is believed that this morning’s brawl was a continuation of beef among teens that started during Labour Day