Members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have now joined police personnel in Central Village St Catherine, where three men were killed by gunmen on Saturday morning.

Those killed are brothers Craig Cayman, 28, and Shane Cayman, 23 and 36-year-old electrician Daniel Sutherland all of Big Lane in the community.

The Star visited the community yesterday and observed members of the JDF on jeeps patrolling Big Lane and surrounding areas.

"We are glad to see that soldiers are now inside here, as the police need all the help available. We the residents have to help them too," a female resident told The Star.

It was the general view that although there is police presence, more needs to be done for it to be effective. "I think while we have the soldiers, there needs to be more intelligence-driven operations to yield a more effective result," another resident said.

Meanwhile, Bishop Rowan Edwards, who has piloted a breakfast programme in the community, said he is disappointed.

"What happened has reversed all the positives. It is a major disappointment for St Catherine, we will continue to pray for peace," Bishop Edwards said.

Reports were that about 12:30 a.m., the trio were among family members at home when a group of heavily armed men started to spray the house with bullets.

Checks later revealed that five people were shot. Three died while two remain hospitalised. The police said the tension in the area is caused by gang warfare and that one of the brothers was the target.

- R.T.