A man moves a barrel in an attempt to clear a section of Windward Road after residents of the Rockfort area yesterday blocked the road in protest of the upsurge of violence in the community. - ricardo makyn photo

The police have arrested well-known businessman and People's National Party activist Danhai Williams for questioning in relation to "activities" in the war-torn east Kingston community. He was taken into custody some time after 8:00 last night.

The security forces are maintaining a strong presence in Rockfort, east Kingston after the ongoing gang violence resulted in a man being shot, a police car being damaged and a house destroyed by fire.

The police say that the man was standing along the road on Monday night when several gunshots were being fired. Afterwards, he saw blood and realised that he had been shot. In the second incident yesterday, the police were escorting a fire brigade truck to put out a fire reportedly started by gunmen when a bullet shattered the rear windshield.

Flare-up of violence

The Kingston east police who are investigating, say the incidents are being caused by a flare-up of violence that is affecting the community. This shooting on Monday night occurred after another shooting in which one man was killed along the Lucas Avenue area of Rockfort, earlier in the day.

A strong detachment of police was sent to the area to maintain a presence following the flare-up in the community.

Fired at by gunmen

On Monday afternoon, protesters from Rockfort were also fired at by gunmen. The police report that protesters in their presence blocked the road at the intersection of Norman and Lucas avenues in in the community.

The protesters were fired at by gunmen which led to a shoot-out between them and the police. Two houses in Norman Gardens, Rockfort, were also set on fire, displacing four families.

The protesters who were mainly women were demonstrating against the violence in their community and also demanded the release of alleged area leaders who were detained on Sunday by the police.

The three men were taken into police custody because it is felt that they can assist them in their investigations.