Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
TWO WEEKS after a mother and her two sons were murdered in a tenement yard on Hanover Street, Kingston, three more persons were shot, one fatally, at the same premises yesterday.
This year's murder toll stands at 1,362, which is 170 more than at the corresponding period in 2004.
Superintendent Marlon Dietrich described the pre-dawn incident as a running gun battle between thugs affiliated to the 'Spoilers' and 'Tel-Aviv' gangs in central Kingston.
When the smoke cleared, one man was found dead, while two others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. The dead man has since been identified as Sheldon Brooks of Rum Lane.
"The dead man was still clutching a 9mm pistol when the police arrived at the scene," said Supt. Dietrich.
FOUR-YEAR FEUD
Reports are that both gangs have been involved in a four-year feud. Peace meetings were held but talks fell through and the violence escalated over the past four months. The police theorise that a turf war and an extortion racket are the roots of the conflict.
At least five persons have been murdered over the past two weeks, when 42-year-old Rosemarie Little and her sons, Oshane Walker, 18, and Rodene Powell, 10, were murdered by gunmen who invaded their tenement yard.
Up to press time, the police reported another person was killed, as a result of the bloody feud. The Gleaner understands that the man, who lives in the Spoilers community, was returning home from work when he was shot dead. Residents said he was not affiliated to any of the gangs.
"I support the police in whatever they are doing to stop the killing," Member of Parliament Victor Cummings told The Gleaner last night. "I would appreciate if they curfew the area and if they have to pick up the leaders, pick them up."
