By Glenroy Sinclair/Rasbert Turner, Staff Reporter/Gleaner WriterTERROR REIGNED in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, again last night as rival gangs opened fire at each other, forcing commuters to scamper for cover and operators of businesses to pull down their shutters.
Two persons were shot dead and one shot and injured, bringing the death toll in the Old Capital to 12 in the last two weeks. Ten others have been shot and injured.
Up to press time last night, there were reports of shooting on Burke Road, in the Shelter Rock community where four men were shot and killed on Saturday night, in Tawes Pen, Duncans Pen, Ellerslie Pen and adjoining communities.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the two persons, whose identities were not ascertained last night, were cut down in a hail of bullets on Jones Avenue. The injured person was shot along the Spanish Town bypass.
GUNMEN DRESSED IN KHAKI
Reports are that about 7:10 p.m. a large group of men attired in khaki uniforms was seen walking along Burke Road brandishing guns. Gunfire then erupted as rival gangs traded bullets.
"Some people had to abandon their vehicles in the streets and run for their lives. People were seen jumping from the windows of buses, while other motorists attempted to get away from the scene," an eyewitness said. He added that: "At one stage the Spanish Town Police Station was like a refugee camp, flooded with people."
COMMUTERS, SHOPPERS TRAPPED
Many commuters and shoppers were trapped in stores and plazas, as business operators drew down their shutters. A strong detachment of police rushed to the scene to get things under control. Terrified bus operators refused to operate from the bus terminus and picked up their passengers at the police station.
The shooting occurred less than 24 hours after a 28-year-old woman was shot several times on Monday night. Allegations are that the injured woman, who was not identified by the police, has been accused of being an associate of one of the rival gangs. About 7:30 p.m. on Monday, she was in the process of taking a bath in an outside bathroom when she was attacked by gunmen who shot her five times. The injured woman was shot in her mouth and other parts of her body.
Speaking with The Gleaner last night, Bishop Herro Blair, chairman of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI), said he had been meeting privately with councillors and caretakers from the area to discuss the problem.
"On the weekend I will be meeting the Members of Parliament in whose constituencies there has been an upsurge of violence. We are using a different approach this time," said Bishop Blair.
He also plans to meet with residents of the troubled communities. There has been a shooting almost every night in Spanish Town since last week.
Spanish Town's Mayor Dr. Raymoth Notice said the upsurge of gun crimes has impacted negatively on public health and safety in the town. He criticised the wider community which he accused of remaining silent on the issue.
