By Glenroy Sinclair/Rasbert Turner, Staff Reporter/Gleaner WriterVIOLENCE WHICH has been plaguing Spanish Town, central St. Catherine, since the start of the year, continued on Saturday night when four persons were killed by gunmen, who wounded a fifth.
The dead have been identified as Ryan Murray, 22; Lorenzo Tomlinson, 30; Joseph Graham, 35, and Densford Nelson, 33. The fifth casualty, who suffered bullet wounds, was identified only as a 24-year-old woman.
During the past week, at least 10 persons have been shot dead and eight others wounded by bullets, in separate shooting incidents in communities adjoining Spanish Town, the capital of St. Catherine.
Bishop Herro Blair, chairman of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI), and his team are planning to visit Spanish Town and the other affected communities.
"We have our regular meetings on Fridays, but we will be meeting before that this week to discuss the issue because it is on top of our priorities right now," Bishop Blair told The Gleaner yesterday.
There are conflicting reports about Saturday night's shootings. Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas told The Gleaner yesterday that, based on intelligence, the latest bout of shooting did appear linked to the ongoing bloody feud between the 'One Order' and 'Clans Man' gangs in Spanish Town.
Police sources believe the incident may be related to a dispute which began in the United Kingdom between two former friends, who have now become enemies. The two are from the same community and are both now in the island.
Reports are that one of the men was spotted in the area by rival gunmen, who fired several shots at him. He escaped unhurt, but the gunmen went to premises in Jones Heights where a party for children was in progress. The gunmen shot dead Graham and Nelson, who were outside.
Murray and Tomlinson were shot near to where the party was taking place.
RAMPAGE
Police sources said that following the shooting, a group of men went to Jones Avenue where they kicked open doors, apparently in search of their enemies, and fired shots.
Police in vehicles and on foot were patrolling the troubled areas yesterday.
The police said they picked up 10 persons for questioning about the shootings.
Small groups of persons were on the roadways yesterday discussing the shooting; some were too fearful to comment on the incidents.
Speaking with The Gleaner three weeks ago, Dr. Raymoth Notice, Mayor of Spanish Town, described the situation then as 'unbearable'. He said the violence had reached the stage of 'war', noting that 'some people are still not concerned because it is not affecting them.'
