More bloodshed in Grange Hill

Just 12 days after gunmen went on a rampage in Crowder district, Grange Hill, Westmoreland, killing three men, gunmen last night killed another man and injured two others in the district.

The police report that about 8 p.m., persons were standing at a section known as Fullersfield, when men travelling on motorcycles rode up.

They brandished handguns and opened fire on the crowd, hitting the three men before speeding away. One man died on the spot, while the others were rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where they were treated. Up to press time, the Grange Hill police were still processing the scene and had not identified the deceased.

55 murders

Meanwhile, four persons were slain in St James in four days, as the murder count in the parish rose to 55.

The latest victims have been identified as Tavaris White, 26, of 3rd Avenue, Montego Hills; Claude Riley, 39, of Church Lane, Salt Spring; Tracy-Ann Weekly, 35, of Guinep Tree Lane, Mountpelier, all in St James; and her common-law-husband, Ricardo Sterling, 36, of a Bethel Town address in Westmoreland.

The police reported that on Sunday, White and his spouse were at home in Montego Hills. Reports are that a lone gunman entered their yard and held them at gunpoint. He then robbed them of their cell phones, cash and other valuables, before opening fire hitting White multiple times. The man escaped on foot in the area, while the woman, who was left unharmed, alerted the police. White was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Riley was shot and killed on Friday about 10:19 p.m. by another lone gunman while he was sitting inside his yard on Church Lane. Sterling and Weekly were murdered about 9:30 p.m. in Mountpelier on Thursday. Reports are that they were at home when armed men barged into the yard and shot Sterling in his bed. Weekly ran, but was chased and shot inside her neighbour's yard. The police were summoned and upon arrival, the scene was processed and both victims were transported to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where they were pronunced dead. St James now has 24 more murders than the corresponding period last year.