The troubled Portmore community of Wind Way in Waterford, St Catherine, is still reeling from yesterday's brutal gun slaying of a man and his wife at their home.

The double murder has now pushed the country's staggering homicide toll to 1,650, 30 more than the number of persons killed violently last year.

"We found about seven bullet fragments and 14 spent shells at the scene," Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, head of St Catherine South Police Division, disclosed yesterday.

According to a report from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the couple, Michael and Gushine Mayers, 45 and 46, respectively, were at home when unknown assailants struck.

Multiple gunshot wounds

Relatives said they heard explosions and when they went to investigate the couple's bodies were discovered with multiple gunshot wounds.

While there has been an on-and-off gang feud in that section of the community, Superintendent Nesbeth said there was no evidence to suggest that the couple were involved.

Commenting on the hundreds killed since the start of the year, Glenmore Hinds, deputy commissioner in charge of operations, stressed that gangs provided the predominant motives for most killings.

"We do have a gang problem," said DCP Hinds.

The senior officer charged that there were about 187 active gangs in Jamaica, but argued that the prevalence of illegal guns in some usually peaceful parishes has led to an increase in homicides.

"We have not lost the battle, but right now we are having some challenges as it relates to homicides. It is spreading across the island to some parishes which, up to three years ago, were very quiet," said Hinds.

He further explained that divisional officers would be held accountable for the level of criminal activity in their geographic jurisdiction. This, Hinds said, was possible, especially since the officers would be given whatever aid they deemed necessary.