Three accused of engaging cops in gunfight held
THE police yesterday arrested three men who allegedly engaged them in a shoot-out in Arnett Gardens, a tough community in South St Andrew that is loyal to the ruling People’s National Party.
The names of the men were not released, but officers said yesterday that one has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and shooting with intent, while the other two have been detained for questioning in relation to yesterday’s shooting.
Head of the Kingston West police, Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, told the Observer that bad blood is brewing between gangs from Torrington Park, a community which runs adjacent to Admiral Town, and Havana in Arnett Gardens.
He said a resident of Torrington Park was attacked and shot yesterday by gunmen suspected to be from the Havana area. According to Superintendent Hewitt, armed men from Torrington Park were on their way to exact revenge when they were challenged by the police.
“We saw them and challenged them on Greenidge Park Road. A shoot-out ensued and we chased them into the Calvary Cemetery where the three men were held,” Hewitt said.
No firearms were seized during the incident.
The shooting incident comes just a day after gunmen attacked ex-district constable, Barrington Ralston as he rode his bicycle through the Torrington Park community on Monday. The police said the gunmen pounced on Ralston and shot him several times at Torrington Lane.