Glenroy Sinclair, Senior Crime Reporter

Shoppers caught making their way along Princess Street, downtown Kingston in this recent photo. - file

Dozens of terrified residents and shoppers dodged bullets and ran for their lives yesterday, following an attempt by gunmen to kill a taxi driver and his four passengers, in the busy commercial district of downtown Kingston.

According to the police, all five persons, one male and four females, were shot and injured.

"Two of them are in serious condition," Acting Deputy Superintendent of Police, Derrick Champagnie told The Gleaner yesterday.

Reports are that the shooting occurred in the vicinity of Princess and Beeston streets, while the driver of the car was in the process of reversing the vehicle from Beeston Street, on to Princess Street. He was attacked by two gunmen who sprayed the car with bullets.

Unknown motive

The motive for the shooting is still unknown, but preliminary investigations suggest that it was the driver who was targeted by the gunmen. In their attempt to escape, it is alleged that one of the gunmen came in contact with a police patrol and a running gun battle ensued. The police believe the gunman was shot and injured during the gunfight.

"The shooting lasted for nearly 15 minutes. All I heard were different guns firing, then the place became very tense," said one business operator, who spoke with The Gleaner on condition of anonymity.

Up to late yesterday evening, a team of detectives from the Kingston Central Division was probing a number of leads at the Kingston Public Hospital where they suspect the gunman later turned up for medical treatment.