The Hunt's Bay police say a split in the 'Moscow' gang operating in Olympic Gardens, St Andrew, has caused a deadly feud in the community.

At least five persons have been killed in what police sources theorise are reprisal killings, as thugs associated with the 'Backroad' and 'Checkers' gangs have clashed.

"It's killings and reprisals. the war is a result of a split in the Moscow Gang which is associated with Varma Road," Crime Chief for the St Andrew South police, Deputy Superintendent Michael Phipps told THE STAR.

Murdered three

In the latest bloodletting incident, three persons, including a pregnant woman and an 18-year-old man, were slain by gunmen on Varma road in the community.

Dead are 25-year-old Antoinette Gooden, Romeo Worges, 32, both of Varma road and Peter Francis, 18, of Wellworth Avenue in Olympic Gardens.

Investigators say about 2 a.m., armed thugs kicked open the door to a house and murdered the three.

Investigators also say based on police intelligence, the thugs were in search of rivals whom they did not find, so they turned their wrath elsewhere.

Wartime

While the police say residents are tight-lipped about the situation, THE STAR was informed that the rift among the men stemmed from the need for help during 'wartime'.

"Backroad man dem seh di Checkers man dem nuh waan help dem defend Moscow...A dat cause di split and di war," one resident told THE STAR.

DSP Phipps said the police have heard of such reports but they are unable to confirm them as their investigations have not found such evidence.

"Haggart, Reechie, Finey and Jeffery - our investigations have found these men to be ... of major interest to us," DSP Phipps noted.

Normalcy

It is obvious that residents have feared for their safety since the clashes began.

"See it deh, dem kill off di woman and she pregnant. Dem man ya nuh have no heart...Dem a war ova foolishness and dem nuh business who dem kill. Mi naw lie mi fraid," Deserine, a 25-year-old resident said.

"Dem need fi stop it man, a new year now and people waan go bout dem business in peace. Wi haffi a lock up inna house early cause a dem. Wi want peace,"another resident said.

The police say they have increased their presence in the area in an effort to restore normalcy to the community.

Name changed upon request.