Man shot dead in Rema
A 35 year-old man was shot dead in Rema Tuesday night, just hours after three persons, including a two-year-old boy and a 19-year-old pregnant girl, were shot and injured in a section of the community known as “Buckas”.
The dead man is Alfred McDonald, also known as “Louie Fox”. He was shot by gunmen on Third Street in what the Denham Town police believe to be gang-related violence.
Yesterday, residents of Rema expressed concern that McDonald’s killing could spark reprisal shootings in the area which, last year, was the scene of sporadic gang violence that eventually took on a political hue.
The fear of further violence resulted in a cancellation of extra curricular activities at the Operation Restoration Christian School on Collie Smith Drive off Spanish Town Road. The school authorities took the decision after learning that thugs from a section of the community had threatened a teacher.
A source at the school, who requested anonymity, said there was uncertainty as to whether classes would be held for the approximately 98 students later this morning.
According to the source, teachers were complaining of being stressed out and that the situation was compounded by gunfire which was heard throughout most of yesterday morning.
The source said the school advised volunteer teachers in the area not to return until the situation had returned to normal.
The violence has again affected activities at the nearby Trench Town Culture Yard, a tourist attraction that has been growing in popularity.
A Rastafarian who works on the compound said a number of foreigners had expressed an intention to visit the community, however, things were now at a standstill as the area was now too dangerous for them to visit.