The police are keeping a close watch on sections of Rockfort in east Kingston today, following three fatal shootings in the area on Thursday.

Two persons were killed in one incident on Glasspole Avenue early Thursday morning, while the third was fatally shot metres away on Michael Manley Boulevard less than 12 hours later.

Despite the proximity of the murders, head of the Kingston Eastern police, Deputy Superintendent Michael Bailey, says the two incidents were not related.

one man in custody

DSP Bailey said one man had already been taken into custody in connection with the double murder while they were searching for the other killer.

In addition, 230 pounds of ganja were seized during a police operation in the section of Rockfort known as Pleasant Heights yesterday afternoon.

DSP Bailey said the victims included 45-year-old Everton Mendez of Manley Meadows who was fatally shot on Michael Manley Boulevard yesterday afternoon.

It is reported that Mendez, an employee of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, was supervising roadwork along the boulevard when a man armed with a gun walked up to him and opened fire, hitting him several times.

He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he died while being treated.

That killing came after those of 20-year-old Kevin Pusey and Talman Cupidon, 25.

Reports are that about 12:15 Thursday morning residents heard several explosions and called the police.

body found

Investigators who responded found the body of Pusey with multiple gunshot wounds, at his home on Glasspole Avenue.

A further search of the area revealed the body of Cupidon at the back of a house. It also had multiple gunshot wounds.

Hours later the main suspect in the double murder, Mario Allen, a 29-year-old labourer of a Rockfort address, was turned over to the police.

Reports are that Allen was on a public passenger vehicle when he brandished an M16 Carbine-15 pistol with a magazine containing 24 rounds.

He was overpowered by two male passengers who took the weapon from him.

Allen managed to escape and ran onto premises in the vicinity of 111 Windward Road where he was held and beaten by citizens. Allen and the firearm were later handed over to the police.