Male sex worker shot in groin area

A 19-year-old male sex worker was shot and injured along Robert Crescent in Cross Roads, St Andrew, early Monday morning.

The victim, who was dressed in female clothing at the time of the incident, sustained a gunshot wound to the groin and is currently hospitalised.

The St Andrew Central police have launched an investigation into the shooting, which occurred just after dawn in an area known for several guest houses and night activity.

"He is alive and we are allowing him to exercise his rights," said a senior lawman in the police division.

The cop confirmed that the young man was "inappropriately dressed" in female clothing at the time of the incident.

When THE STAR team visited the area, several residents and business operators expressed concern over the incident, with many offering conflicting views about the presence of sex workers in the community. One woman said she woke to find crime scene tape nearby.

"Dem say is a gay man and the taxi man drop him off, but the taxi want more money. Is like di yute say, 'Mi nuh have nuh more money,' and him get ignorant," she related.

"Di whole a di sidewalk did blood up," she continued. "Dem kinda people deh always come 'round here. Dem free fi walk, a people pickney. Dem free fi walk, nobody nuh fi trouble dem. Dem must know why dem choose that life."

At a nearby business place, one man said the victim ran there seeking help after being shot but was turned away.

"Mi see him run come up here a ask fi help, and mi say, 'No sah, mi caah help yuh, bredda,'" he said.

He also shared that sex workers regularly visit the area at night.

"All the while dem love fi trick man," he stated. "Late night dem come like dem a vampire. It nuh look good."

Despite his disapproval, he acknowledged their role in the local economy. "Business a business. It help we pay light bill. Dem give we more sales than the straight people."