Additional security assets rushed to Grange Hill after four murders over the weekend

Security has been significantly increased in the Grange Hill community in Westmoreland in response to an upsurge in gang violence, which resulted in four murders over the weekend.

The latest incident occurred about 10 p.m. Sunday when Shakiel Forrest, who is of a Grange Hill address, was ambushed by heavily armed men as he drove through the Little London community.

Forrest and another man who was travelling with him jumped from the vehicle and ran. However, Forrest was chased and shot multiple times. He died on the spot.

The killing of Forrest comes in the wake of Saturday's incident in which marauding gangsters invaded a section of the Grange Hill community, killing three men and injuring another.

Superintendent Shaunjaye Mitchell, the commander for Zone Four in the Westmoreland Police Division, said that based on intelligence gathered by the police, the shootings are because of a feud between the resurgent King Valley Gang and the Ants Posse gang. Indications are that they are fighting for control of turf and the spoils from illicit activities.

The King Valley Gang surged to national attention in 2020 when several members of the gang were arrested in a major operation. They were charged with being a part of a criminal organisation. The gang's leader, Durval 'Lukie' Williams was subsequently convicted and is now serving time in prison.

- Adrian Frater

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