Roy 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]
