“Deeply disturbing, and barbaric” is how Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described the killing of 8-year-old Danielle Rowe, who was abducted from school and her throat slashed.

Holness has also expressed condolences to her family and friends.

"My heart goes out to Danielle's family and friends during this period of immense grief. The entire Jamaica must consider this a charge on our collective conscience. Anyone who has any information or knowledge of this incident should immediately inform the police. We cannot be silent or protect those responsible for this gruesome act. Society cannot surrender to wanton violence, and we must be unequivocal when violence is directed against our children,” Holness said in a statement on Saturday.

Rowe, a student of Braeton Primary in Portmore, St Catherine, was taken from the institution on Thursday in a motor car, transported to Vineyard Town in St Andrew and thrown from the vehicle.

She died sometime after 3 am at hospital on Saturday.

According to Holness, since the start of the year, eight children have been murdered, three of whom are under 12 years old.

“Our indignation and intolerance of fatal violence must be expressed in the highest penalties as a deterrent and the stiffest punishment if the criminal was not deterred. My Government will not resile from using all the legal tools available to us in sending a clear message that violence of any form is unacceptable and in bringing perpetrators of violent crime to justice,” Holness noted.

While investigations are ongoing, Holness says he has directed that all the necessary investigative resources must be mobilised to bring the perpetrator to justice. The Prime Minister has also directed the Minister of Education to have all schools review their safety and security policy to ensure that the policies and procedures are being effectively practised to sure the safety of children.