News

War claims two

AN INTERNAL FEUD which has been going on in a section of Olympic Gardens, St. Andrew, for the past month is believed to be the reason why two men were murdered along Balcombe Drive in the community yesterday.

THE STAR understands that a prominent member of the community was killed a month ago, angering some residents. This triggered a series of reprisal killings which seems to have claimed its two latest victims.

"We believe that the murders may be linked to the feud," Inspector Altermorth Campbell of the St. Andrew South Police Division told THE STAR.

The dead men have been identified as Christopher Scott, 28, and Luke Smalling, 37, both from Olympic Gardens addresses.

Police reports are that Scott was inside a bar along Balcombe Drive at about 11:15 a.m. when a gunman entered and shot him. Half hour later, as Smalling was riding along Balcombe Drive, he was shot. Both were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

THE STAR understands that Scott's murder was another reprisal in the feud. Smalling was killed in reprisal for Scott's shooting.

Shocked

Scott's aunt who did not want her name published was shocked to hear of her nephew's gruesome death. "Dem brazen; mi hear seh dem nuh hide dem face. Waan man just walk een a bar and shot him and walk out," she said.

She said her nephew, who worked in construction, was not involved in any wrong-doing and had come to Kingston nine years ago in search of a better life. "If him did mix up inna things, mi woulda know why dem kill him, but him a nuh dat type a guy fi involve inna dem tings," she said.

The news seemed too much for her to bear as she leaned on a wall for support and vomitted several times. Concerned residents scampered about to get her a chair and water as it seemed the shock was about to bring on an asthma attack.

"The last time mi see him, him beg mi $50 and mi give him $100 and tell him fi go inside go sleep and no waste nuh time outside. Only fi dem call mi a work an tell mi seh dem kill him," she said while shaking her head.

Inspector Campbell said the police have been working 'assiduously' to catch those responsible for the murders and will continue to investigate the matter.