Sheena Gayle, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Fear has gripped the quiet community of Mount Carey in St James, following the gruesome killings of two residents in the community on Thursday.

The victims have been identified as 27-year-old bus conductor Marvin Grant, otherwise called 'Blacka' and Howard 'Bullhead' Stephens, 31.

Grant was reportedly chopped and killed about 10:40 p.m. while Stephens was shot and killed 20 minutes later. Investigators have no motives for the killings which have pushed the parish's murder toll to 58 since January.

Martha Stewart, Grant's mother, was blunt in her response as to whether her son was known to be involved in any criminal activities.

"Him nuh really behave himself, but I really couldn't tell you if he was involved in any illegal things. Right now, I just trying my best to cope with the news of his death," she told The Gleaner.

No saint

A police source said, Grant was released from prison a year ago.

The Anchovy police say they will continue to gather intelligence on the matter and maintain a strong police presence in Mount Carey in an effort to return calm.

A resident, who is said to have lived in the community for more than 30 years, was unwilling to say much about the incident: "This was always a quiet community but right now, as night come down, we just lock up inna we house because a lot of criminal activities have been taking place since of late."

The Gleaner has learnt that, over the past three months, the relatively violence-free districts of Red Ground, Mount Carey and the neighbouring community of Red Land, Montpelier, have seen increased levels of crime - mostly robberies and shooting incidents.