A businessman brandished a handgun and physically assaulted a female nurse, including stepping on her head while she screamed helplessly on the ground.
The heinous attack has sparked widespread condemnation, with many persons calling for severe punishment for the attacker who, although in police custody, has so far not been charged in relation to the incident.
In light of the development, some social media users have called for there to be even harsher penalties for individuals who carry out attacks against essential service workers, including nurses, doctors, fire service personnel and members of the security forces.
The Government and the parliamentary Opposition have also joined the plethora of condemnations of the savage attack, while the Nurses’ Association of Jamaica (NAJ) is to join other health professionals in a march on Monday against the violent act that was meted out to the nurse who is an employee of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).
Initially, the Corporate Communications Network (CCN) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) named the perpetrator of the violent act against the nurse, but a subsequent communique withdrew the statement that named the individual.
The man’s age was listed as 65 years, and he was said to have been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The police said the suspect was to be interviewed in the presence of his attorneys on Saturday.
The incident occurred along Mount Pleasant Road in upper St Andrew on Tuesday, May 13.
Reports from the Stony Hill police were that about 7:15 pm, the businessman, who was the driver of a Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle travelling ahead of a woman’s Toyota Vitz motorcar, abruptly halted and started swerving along the roadway.
The nurse reportedly attempted to drive around the man’s vehicle, and he stopped, got out of his vehicle, shoved his head into the woman vehicle, spat in her face and struck the vehicle repeatedly with his hand.
Reports are that the nurse exited her vehicle to make checks for damages, when she saw Bell with a handgun in his hands.
He then reportedly flung her to the ground and physically assaulted her, causing swelling and bruises all over her body.
In a viral video of the attack, the businessman also stepped on the nurse’s head.
At one point, he appeared to have flipped the nurse over and slammed her on the ground.
There are also suggestions that the attacker was drunk at the time of the road rage.
A purported uncle of the nurse told a radio program on Friday that his niece was on her way to work at a Corporate Area hospital at the time of the incident.
“She (the nurse) a bawl fi her shoulder and her neck ’cause remember him walk (step) on her face. She get release (from hospital), but remember she still a feel pain in her hand and ting,” the relative stated.
He added that his niece has been “traumatized” by the overall ordeal.
The businessman remained in police custody up to Saturday.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, strongly condemned the assault on Friday, describing it as a “heinous act” perpetrated against a healthcare worker.
“I am shocked and outraged at the brutality of the assault. It is a heinous act, perpetrated against a member of the healthcare team — a team whose members consistently go above and beyond the call of duty in service to the people of Jamaica,” Tufton said.
“The assault, whether on our healthcare workers or (other) Jamaicans, must not be tolerated,” Tufton declared, urging the police to investigate swiftly and apply the full extent of the law.
“I implore the public to be respectful and protective of our healthcare workers as they move about their business in the society,” said Tufton.
Meanwhile, the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has also taken immediate action, and has advised that it is investigating the incident, and reminded licensed firearm holders that brandishing or using a firearm to intimidate or assault someone is a criminal offence.
The NAJ on Friday advised all nurses who are members of body that the association will be marching in collaboration with the members of the Jamaica Enrolled Nurses’ Association (JENA), and members of the Jamaica Midwives’ Association (JMA), on Monday May 19.
The march, according to the NAJ, is “to register our distaste at the violence displayed by a member of the public towards a nurse on May 13, 2025.”
The venue for the start of the march is to be communicated at a later date, the NAJ told its members in a communique.
Opposition Spokesperson on Social Transformation and President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Women’s Movement, Patricia Duncan Sutherland, on Friday called for “urgent national action to end the epidemic of violence against women and children”.
She said the country “was plunged into a state of disbelief and outrage as we watched a man beat a woman because of a fender-bender.
“A brutal pattern of violence against women has seized national attention, and demands an uncompromising response,” added Duncan Sutherland.
Meantime, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia Grange, called for “severe consequences” for the man who is suspected to have attacked the nurse.
According to Grange, the act of “savagery seen in the video goes against everything that we stand for in Jamaica.
“What we witnessed in that video was a bully, a coward, and a brute attacking a defenseless woman while holding what appears to be a gun,” she said.
For social media users, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and respect for all individuals, particularly healthcare workers who dedicate their lives to serving others.
Others are calling for the full force of the law to be directed at the businessman.
“I am deeply appalled by this man’s behavior toward another human being, especially a woman, and a nurse at that. Brandishing a gun, trampling on her head as if he intended to take her life is utterly reprehensible,” a woman wrote on Facebook.
“This thing (because he is not a man) needs to feel the full force of the law. Imagine, he put… his feet and stood up on the woman head. Mighty God, what if he had broke her neck?” asked another woman.
Argued a man: “A hope the FLA do the right thing and tek weh him firearm and permit. What the hell this man thought would happen? No bail for him either, because a coulda mi daughter, mother, sister!”
Wrote a woman: “I hope the nurse sues him and the GoJ should make sure he is punished severely for hurting a civil servant. Sad the way he put his foot on her head. Beyond unacceptable!”
Shared another man: “Full time Gov’t start hand down separate harsh sentences to all who want (to) abuse and harm civil servants. Enough is enough!”
Argued a woman strongly: “If the law is going to play with this monster, we as citizens must ensure that he pays dearly for not only barbarically assaulting the victim, but traumatizing all of us who watched the video.
“FLA, plz (please) disarm him.”
A man opined that the proverbial book should be flung at the businessman for his actions.
“Just assault (the businessman was initially charged for)? What happen to wounding with intent, illegal possession of firearm, dangerous driving, and attempted murder?” the man asked.
Posited a woman: “One can’t help but wonder if he (the businessman) lives with a female, and how she is treated. This is definitely not a first time behavior.”
A Facebook user described the attacker as a “despicable scum”.
The user added that, “I am grateful to the JCF for their swift action in catching him.” For a woman, “This attack.
