Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields (centre), Assistant Commissioner Denver Frater (right) and Superintendent Delroy Hewitt discuss security plans for the troubled Arnett Gardens community, where four persons were shot and killed yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Hundreds of residents of Arnett Gardens, the volatile inner-city community of south St. Andrew, stood in overcast conditions yesterday while they watched detectives probe the crime scenes where four of their neighbours were brutally killed by about 15 gunmen who invaded the community.

Paulette Chin, a small-frame woman, wept aloud as she watched. Four weeks ago her son, Mashell Grant, was killed by gunmen. Yesterday, her children's father, Alfred Grant, 57, and daughter Shackera, 23, were among the four persons murdered in a section of the community known as 'Texas'.

Wept for her children

Staring at the concrete structure, two-bedroom house, an emotional Ms. Chin wept for her children.

Reports are that, shortly after 3:00 a.m., a group of heavily armed gunmen invaded the community and kicked down the Grants' door, then sprayed them with bullets.

Head of the West Kingston Police Division, Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, said the men then turned their weapons on a couple who were travelling on a motor bike, about 200 metres away.

The couple, Natasha Gordon and Nashan Bryan, were taken off the motorcycle and killed execution style. The killers attempted to steal the bike, but it was badly damaged by a bullet, forcing them to leave it behind.

"We believe this is a continuation of an internal feud between rival gangs," said Supt. Hewitt.

It is suspected that Mr. Grant, who was affectionately called 'Burkie', a taxi driver, was targeted because his late son might have been connected to one of the gangs in the community.

Yesterday's killings came on the heels of Wednesday's triple murder and a double murder last week, which rocked sections of the St. Andrew South constituency.

According to the police, more than 40 persons have been killed in the West Kingston Police Division since January. At least 20 of the victims were killed in March.

Over the past three years, factions from 'Texas', 'Angola', 'Top Jungle', Torrington Park, Lower Ivy Road and Craig Town have been involved in a serious internal feud that has claimed dozens of lives.