Prime Minister Andrew Holness says more than 12,000 people were killed across the island in the last decade.

In addition, more than 8,000 illegal firearms were seized over the period.

The Prime Minister made the disclosure while speaking during day one of a two-day Regional Security Symposium in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday (April 17).

He noted that too many young people continue to die by guns while reiterating the need for the United States to help prevent illegal firearms from getting to the island.