Residents of Grants Pen, St Andrew, say thugs who went missing in action for sometime and have returned are behind what police believe is a war between rival gangs.

The residents' claim comes in the bloody aftermath of the murder of three persons, and the injuring of three others on the weekend, in separate but possibly related incidents.

On Sunday, 32-year-old Ava-Gaye Ward, a higgler, was shot and killed about 12:30 p.m. by gunmen close to Sunrise Crescent.

Reports suggest that she was chased by men who shot her four times all over the body.

Investigators attached to the St Andrew North police theorise Ward's murder to be a reprisal for the deaths of 38-year-old Denver Pink, and Latisha Rich, 23, who were reportedly killed by gunmen on July 5, at the same premises where Ward was murdered.

fatally shot

About two hours prior to Ward's murder, 49-year-old Grants Pen resident Paul Jackson was also reportedly chased and fatally shot as he tried to run into a premises along Grants Pen Avenue.

Cops are probing arguments that the incident could be linked to the death of Dwain Rodman. About 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Rodman, 26, was among a group of men standing when gunmen travelling in a Silver Toyota motor car entered the premises with guns blazing. Three other persons were injured in that attack.

When THE STAR visited the community, residents, who say they have been cowering in fear over the last few days, explained that this spate of killings and shootings within their community is the result of a long-standing feud between 'Top Gully' and 'Bottom Gully'.

According to them, thugs from both sides, who were once known to be active players in the war, had fled the community months ago, thanks to pressure from the police forces.

However, some of these men have returned, and are seemingly on a mission to pick up where they left off, residents say.

"A long time top and bottom gully a war still. A years dem a war, but fi a while wi did good roun yah cause nuff a dem did run weh. But from wah day, wi see dem a tek time come back inna di place and see it deh now, a pure gunshot," one resident who strongly requested anonymity said.

"A dem same one a war eno, dem did lef di place and di place cool, all of a sudden dem come in back and start back di foolishness," another resident added.

Police sources from the division say they have heard the residents' claim.

"The activities that we have been seeing in these two communities are between two rival gangs. It has nothing to do with the residents or persons traversing in and around the communities," Deputy Superintendent of Police George McFarlane said as he spoke on the situation in the community. DSP George also added, "The police are on top of things and we will deal with it accordingly."