Glenroy Sinclair, Senior Crime Reporter

Marjorie Hudson (standing), principal of the St. Alban's Primary School in Denham Town, west Kingston, tries to encourage her teaching staff at the school yesterday, after more than 400 students stayed away from classes because of the violence which has gripped sections of the community. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

The empty streets, partially blocked roadways and tense atmosphere in the once lively community of Denham Town in west Kingston painted a grim picture of why more than 400 students were prevented from leaving their homes yesterday for classes at the St. Alban's Primary School on Albert Street.

Principal of the west Kingston school, Marjorie Hudson, told The Gleaner that only about 30 of 465 students enrolled showed up, after a night of sporadic gunfire which left a trail of blood across the community and several families mourning the deaths of at least four persons.

"The teachers turned out and found empty classrooms," declared Mrs. Hudson.

Bloody gunfight

Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, head of the West Kingston police division, told The Gleaner that five other persons, including two Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers, were shot and injured in what he described as a bloody gunfight between two groups of men in the Denham Town community.

The JDF soldiers' injuries were not serious but the other three persons were hospitalised.

"We have put things in place to protect the innocent residents," Supt. Hewitt said.

Two of the injured were charged and last night remained under police guard in hospital.

The St. Alban's Primary principal said students and teachers were traumatised and gripped with emotions Tuesday afternoon after seeing the body of 24-year-old Fabian Brown, who was murdered outside the gates of the school, minutes before classes were dismissed. The deceased was well known to the school community.

"Right now I am crying out for help. I need some counsellors to come in and talk with both the teachers and students. One of my best teachers who joined us in September is already saying that she is leaving," said Mrs. Hudson.

Brown was reportedly killed by another prominent member of the Denham Town community. The police said about 8:30 Tuesday night, a number of heavily-armed men invaded the Wellington Street and Nelson Street areas and began shooting indiscriminately in reprisal for that killing.

When the smoke cleared three bodies were found at separate corners of the community. The bodies of Patrick Davis, alias 'Long Head', and an unidentified man were found lying on Wellington Street. The body of a fourth man, who is also unidentified, was discovered on Race Course Lane in a mask.

Members of the security forces responded to the shootings and, according to police, a member of the JDF came across one of the gunmen wearing army fatigues.

The shooting is reportedly centred around an internal conflict between rival factions which has been on going since last April.