In the latest incident, about 10 p.m. on Friday, 62-year-old retired teacher, Linton Barnes, and 21-year-old shopkeeper Jermaine Gidden, both of Rosemount district, near Linstead, St Catherine were shot and killed by a group of men whose demand for money was not met.

Investigators say the gunmen, who were believed to have been lurking near the shop, pounced on them and ransacked the shop operated by Gidden. They did not find any money and, when they were about to depart, they brandished guns and fired shots. A woman who was there was not hurt in the incident.

This attack followed that on Oral Roberts, another shopkeeper, and Steve Sutton, both of Naseberry Grove, Kitson Town, St Catherine. Reports from investigations are that Sutton and Roberts were standing in the community when a white car drove up. Two men alighted, brandishing handguns. They fired repeatedly, killing both men on the spot.

Murder rate decline

The police are reporting that there is a slide in the murder rate for the parish, even with those killings. According to Detective Inspector Paul Thomas, to date, 119 persons have been killed by criminals, 30 fewer than the corresponding period last year.

In the meantime, residents of the affected communities have expressed grave concern for their safety. They told The Sunday Gleaner that these areas were considered safe until crime started to creep in. They are demanding immediate action to stem the flood of crime.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com