Whitehall Avenue shootings point to stolen gun

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS into last Friday night's murder of three persons and the injuring of eight others during a shooting at a wake on Whitehall Avenue, St. Andrew, has pointed to a conflict over a stolen gun.

Sources close to the investigation say the gun ­ a high-powered rifle ­ was stolen from a group of men in the Whitehall Avenue area. Reports are the man from whom the weapon was stolen was shot and killed more than two weeks ago. His cronies retaliated by pumping several bullets into the body of Norvel Powell, alias "Pow" on Mannings Hills Road, where he was attacked on September 3. Allegations are Powell was responsible for the death of the man whose identity has still not been ascertained. In reprisal, he was killed.

Last Friday, scores of mourners attended a wake held for Powell at 32 Whitehall Ave. At About 11:00 p.m. a number of gunmen armed with high-powered weapons came looking for Powell's colleagues. They fired several shots wildly, cutting down three men, including a teenage schoolboy. The dead were identified as Damian Russell, 14, Floyd Smith, 33, and a man known only as "Jim".

Detective Inspector Michael Phipps, who is spearheading the investigations, said the police believe last Friday's shooting was gang-related.

"We are getting useful information and are making progress. We are close to making an arrest," said Inspector Phipps.

Back to News