Traffic backs up along a section of the Howard Cooke Highway in Montego Bay as heavy rains lashed the city yesterday afternoon. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

As heavy rains lashed in St. James yesterday, causing chaos across downtown Montego Bay, gunmen went on the rampage and murdered two young men in the troubled Norwood community.

Up to press time, the St. James police were unable to provide details on the murders, but confirmed that two men had been shot dead.

"As we speak, the investigators are still at the scene trying to gather evidence and to carry out further investigations into the incident. We have not yet identified the men, but we can confirm the report," said Supt. Steve McGreggor, the commanding officer for the parish.

Norwood had seen somewhat of a lull in the murder rate following measures implemented by the police. But yesterday McGreggor said Norwood remains a hot spot. "It is a very wide area, which is difficult to police and it becomes even worse whenever it rains. We will continue to police the community to see how best we can manage it," he said.

Streets impassable

As it relates to the rains across the parish, every street in downtown Montego Bay was flooded, making it impassable for pedestrians, while motorists were caught in gridlocks. The rains fell for about four hours, causing chaotic scenes across the city.

Adults and children were forced to walk home, some of them several miles from the city centre. Vast numbers of students were soaking wet as they braved the rains to reach home before dark. Others had no choice but to wait until late before they made it home.