Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town , St. Catherine:

The killing of two people in the Bog Walk area has caused a stir among residents who claimed yesterday that murder statistics, which had been on the downswing, seemed to be increasing once again in the St. Catherine North Division.

The double murder occurred along Goulbourne Lane, near Bog Walk, about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night. Those killed were Gregory Burke, 31-year-old barber, and 16-year-old Lorraine Watkins, both of Linstead addresses.

It is reported that Watkins and Burke went into the area to pick up friends from a party when they were pounced upon by unknown persons who opened fire on them. They died on the spot.

When The Gleaner visited several businesses in the vicinity, persons were of the view that criminal elements seemed hell-bent on taking over their community, a situation which is working to the detriment of business.

Fragile business community

According to head of the North St. Catherine Lions Club, Barry Amos, crime is always a deterrent to good business and the latest murders will put a further damper on the already fragile business community that exists.

Meanwhile, the St. Catherine North Homicide Unit is conducting investigations into the double murder. Up to yesterday, no motive had yet been established for the killings.

This is the second double murder in the division in the last five days. The bodies of two men who had been shot were found in the Tregedar Park area of St. Catherine on Monday morning.