Education and Youth Minister, Senator Ruel Reid, has described the killing of a toddler in Annotto Bay, St. Mary on Wednesday, as a depraved act and should be condemned in all sectors of the society.

Dead is three-year-old, Kelecia Matthews of cane lane in St. Mary.

Mr Reid says, he joins with the family in mourning as this painful ordeal should never be the reality of any parent in this country and must never become the norm.

He says he is particularly concerned for the step-father of the child who would have witnessed her demise, and is pledging the ministry’s support through grief counselling.

Reports are that about 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Matthews was walking home with her step father, when an armed man approached and opened fire.

The girl was shot in the chest. She was pronounced dead at hospital.

The step father escaped unhurt.