Police personnel being deployed to St. George's College yesterday after gunmen fired shots during a dispute over who should get the job to reconstruct a wall at the back of the school, which was destroyed by Hurricane Dean in August. Classes were dismissed early as some students and teachers who heard the shots were traumatised.

Classes will resume today at St. George's College following a shooting incident there yesterday that forced an early closure of the North Street-based school.

The Constabulary Communication Network reported that about 9:30 a.m. yesterday a man was shot on the north border of the school.

Further reports reaching The Gleaner are that the shooting incident was sparked after a disagreement over the selection of workers to restore a wall behind Emmet Park at the school.

Following the incident, classes were suspended for the day and the students taken to Holy Cross Cathedral in Half-Way Tree.

Under watch

Principal Margaret Campbell told The Gleaner that classes would resume this morning at the regular time, but under the watchful eyes of the security forces.

"We are safe and fine. Sadly, some of the students heard the gunshots and were traumatised," said Mrs. Campbell, while noting that no student or teacher was present at that part of the campus at the time of the incident.

The principal noted that the students would be counselled today.

Mrs. Campbell said the construction of the wall was to be part of repairs that resulted from Hurricane Dean, which lashed the island in August.

"Apparently these men came on the campus in anticipation of the work which has not started," she said.

Police reports also suggest that the shooting incident may have been a gang activity being played out at the school.