CHRISTMAS EVE IN Jamaica saw increased activities from vendors, shopping civilians, and of course criminal activities. The death toll alone for Saturday and Sunday morning amassed to eight, with five dead from gunmen, and three dead from police.
Gunmen began their illicit activities from as early as mid-day on Saturday, murdering a man on Rodney Street in Jones Town, Kingston 12. Residents reportedly heard a series of explosions, and alerted police. Upon investigation, the body of Jerome Green was found along Rodney Street, riddled with gunshots. The Admiral Town Police are investigating the incident.
Though the area remained relatively calm thereafter, a double murder soon shattered the festivities, in downtown Kingston. Dead are Wayne Duncan, 44, a taxi operator of Seaview Avenue, Old Harbour Glades, St. Catherine, along with an unidentified woman.
Reports say about 4 p.m., Duncan was driving with the woman along Luke Lane, in a Toyota Corolla vehicle, registered PB 4879. Upon nearing the intersection of Beeston Street, a group of armed men opened fire on the vehicle, hitting the woman. Duncan reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into a Mitsubishi motor car, parked at the intersection of Beeston Street and Luke Lane. He allegedly ran from the vehicle, but was chased and shot by the assailants. The Kingston Central CIB are investigating the incident.
CRITICAL CONDITION
There would be no peace for the island, as by 11:30 p.m., three teens were shot, one fatally, along Greenwich Park Road, Kingston 12. Dead is Gary Scott, 18, while two others 17 and 18, are at hospital in critical condition following the incident.
Police say that the men were on Greenwich Park Road, when a white car drove up with a group of armed men. They reportedly came out of the vehicle and shot the three repeatedly, before driving off. Police were summoned and they were taken to hospital, where Scott was pronounced dead. The Admiral Town Police is investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, in Montego Bay, St. James, a man conducting last- minute transactions, was unaware that he was to soon become another statistic over the bloody weekend. Police report that at about 1:15 a.m., Sunday morning, Desmond Samuda, of Williams Street, entered a tailoring shop to transact business. Upon leaving, he was pounced upon by unknown assailants, and stabbed repeatedly. He ran a short distance and collapsed. He was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY
With increased criminal activities, intensified police operations also contributed to the number of deaths on Christmas Eve.
An unidentified man was shot dead by police, in a shoot-out along Spaldings Avenue, Kingston 20, early Sunday. Reports are at about 2:15 a.m., a police team was on patrol along Spaldings Boulevard, when upon reaching the vicinity of Davidson Avenue, a man acting suspiciously was spotted. Police say that upon their approach, the man pulled a gun and opened fire. A gun battle ensued, and the man was eventually hit. The man was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A Recon .45 semi-automatic pistol, serial number erased and with seven live rounds was seized.
Two other unidentified men were fatally shot by police at Salt Springs, St. James, later in the morning. Reports are that shortly after 4 a.m., Sunday morning, a police patrol was on an inquiry in the area, when three men opened fire on the team. Police returned the fire, and in the aftermath, two men were seen suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. An Intra-tech sub-machine gun was seized.
With five dead from criminal elements, and three dead from police, the death tally is eight dead on Christmas Eve.
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