There is heightened tension in the Cassava Piece community of St Andrew following the murder of a resident on Thursday afternoon.

Residents said that there has been a recent upsurge in violence in the community popularly known as the 'Gully Side', which now has them cowering in fear.

The man killed on Thursday has been identified as Dwight Pryce, also called 'Badda' of Glen Drive in the community.

According to reports, about 1 p.m., Pryce was standing on a pathway when two men approached him, brandished handguns and shot him repeatedly.

He died on the spot.

The daring murder has left sections of the volatile community tense, a situation which police sources as well as residents say is as a result of an ongoing feud among rival thugs.

"As dem stop dem start back. Dem man yaw jus cyaa live in peace...Wi cyaa manage no more war up here so. Dem need fi put a stop to di foolishness so people can live in peace ... . Wi not even know wah dem a fight for," a 36-year-old female resident told THE STAR.

"Wi cyaa manage it ... shot a fire and we need fi walk in peace and naw fi fret bout man a try kill wi," another resident who requested anonymity said.

Crime chief for the St Andrew North police, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Altermoth 'Parro' Campbell says the police are aware of the situation and will be maintaining a strong presence there.

Similar to residents, DSP Campbell said the police are yet to ascertain the reason for the alleged feud.