Just this month alone, three persons from the community fell victim to the gun.

On October 2, Omar Evans and Michael Moo-Young, residents of Morgans Lane in Grants Pen were shot and killed while sitting along the roadway shortly after 9 a.m.

Four days later, detectives from the Grants Pen criminal investigation branch were busy probing the murder of David Minto, otherwise called 'Gas Belly', who was shot and killed by unknown assailants in the wee hours of the morning.

Ex-convict and former gun-slinger, Warren Russel, who is now on parole after serving eight years on charges of robbery, illegal possession of firearm and wounding with intent, was among scores of residents and members of a church group who embarked on a march for peace in the community on Sunday.

Russel said he turned his life around when he became a Christian while serving time in the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre.

Hope exists

The 32-year-old, who was locked up after robbing and wounding a taxi driver in early 2000, called on gunmen in Grants Pen to put their weapons down as he has done.

He expressed confidence that there was still hope for the community despite the recent killings and the violent battles over the years.

Originally from Porus Man-chester, Russel recently took up residence with an employee who lives in the community as a condition of his parole.

Russel said he wants to use his experience to help persons in the community.

"My purpose here is to let the residents know that there is hope ... I want us to put this flare-up behind us and move on," he said.

Despite the challenges, Russel thinks social intervention can turn around the community.

Making the choice

When asked if it was out of need why he chose to pick up the gun years ago, Russel said there had been none.

"I wouldn't say it was out of need, but when you try and fit in with the wrong crowd and show people seh you rough, you have to face the consequences ... When I went to prison, I was abandoned by everyone," he lamented.

The repentant ex-convict said while he is living with regrets, he is trying to make amends.

"I wish I could live my life over to take away the pain that I caused that family ... I went on air and did a public apology to the family," he said.

Now employed to an equipment company, Russel says he is grateful for the opportunity he has been given. "Coming from prison is not an easy thing fi some people accept you in their workplace, but they had faith in me," he said.

He said people can rise from their challenges "... Life is a struggle for everyone, but I am here to tell the people that they can come out of any situation they are in," he said.

- N.T.