By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterPOLICE REPORT that 22 persons were killed in separate incidents islandwide last week, the gun being the weapon of choice in 12 incidents.
The lawmen also claim that there were 25 cases of shootings across the island during the period. On the weekend and up to yesterday, shootings were reported in Arnett Gardens, Hannah Town, Papine, St. Andrew and Riverton City. One woman was shot and injured in Hannah Town on Sunday. Yesterday the body of 53-year-old Joslyn Beckford, alias 'Ziggy', was discovered at his home, Hope Pound Road, Kingston 5, with multiple gunshot wounds.
More than half of the over 100 infants enrolled at the Riverton City Early Childhood Centre, in lower St. Andrew, were kept away from school yesterday because of an escalating feud between rival gun gangs, which claimed the life of one person at the weekend. Three others were hospitalised.
Tensions in the area saw some residents packing their belongings to move out of newly-constructed houses in Riverton Meadows.
'NINE NIGHT' CUT SHORT
The shooting, which erupted on Saturday night, prematurely ended the 'nine night' of Oneil Tate, who was gunned down three weeks ago in the community.
The Sunday night gun battle between members of rival gangs resulted in three men being shot. They have been identified only as 'Sean', 'Omeallie' and Kemar Morgan.
Also, in the wee hours of yesterday morning, a man who the police identified as Kingsley Hall was shot and killed by gunmen. It is alleged that the shooting involved men from the 'Not Nice Gang' and 'T Gang'.
Residents who spoke with The Gleaner said the problem between the gangs began on Good Friday, April 9, and since then there has been continuous gunfire. Reprisal attacks have also been carried out. The police believe gang members are fighting over the control of construction work on the housing scheme within the area.
Over the past four years the Government has been replacing the wooden shacks and zinc fences with solid concrete structure in that community, but the absence of street lights in the community has created a haven for gangs and gunmen.
Residents said sometimes these gangs move around with up to 15 armed men.
"We have since increased our patrol in the area," the Acting Crime Officer for South St. Andrew, Paro Campbell, told The Gleaner yesterday.
The officer said the police have been closely monitoring the situation and on Sunday night when the shooting occurred, foot patrols were immediately deployed to the area.
