Tricia White is being consoled by Water and Housing Minister, Dr Horace Chang, the member of parliament for North West St James, after police shot two of her relatives at Albion Lane, Montego Bay, yesterday. - Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

It was yet another day of weeping in the socially depraved community of Albion Lane, Montego Bay, yesterday, this time the familiar accusation, unlawful police shootings.

Residents were irate up to late last evening, as they alleged two of their neighbours - a 17-year-old youth and an insane man - were murdered by a police party.

The youth, a student at the Cambridge High School in St James and Dwayne Cole, about 28, whom residents described as a madman and had recently released from prison.

Up to 7:15 last evening, police said they could confirm that only Cole had died and were still awaiting words from hospital officials as to the youth's condition.

angry residents

Police said some of their colleagues were on operation in the community when they came under fire from a group of men and during a shoot-out the two were hit. The police further stated that a .38 revolver with four live rounds were taken from one of the men.

But the angry residents fired back, claiming the men were murdered and had no gun in their possession. "The youth dem jus come from downtown and did a chill out by a shop when dem see the police from a distance a come through the lane. One had no shirt on and the other had on a merino," a witness said.

"Dem hold up dem hand. One police kicked one off di step and shot him pon di ground. Dem carry the di youth behind the basic school and shot dem," another alleged witness stated.

Shortly after the incident, residents blocked the road to protest the men's killing. Tricia White wept bitterly in the streets. "Two a mi family one time. Help me Jesus. Lord mi give you everything and you still mek dem tek dem from mi," she said.

Member of Parliament, Dr Horace Chang, the Water and Housing Minister, admitted that he was moved, stating he would not intervene directly but would assist in having the Police Complaints Authority examine the matter, as well as seek legal assistance for the victims.

"I hope we can get a fair investigation into the matter. There has to be a restoration of trust among citizens and the police to overcome the kind of problems we have in Montego Bay. That is why we are moving aggressively to begin some social intervention programme," Chang said.