The scene inside Coronation Market, downtown Kingston where at least five people were shot and injured yesterday. (PHOTO: LIONEL ROOKWOOD)
CRIMINALS toting high-powered weapons yesterday shot and injured at least five people in a series of brazen daylight attacks in downtown Kingston.
The Jamaica Observer was told that in the first incident, which took place at around 10:30 am, thugs went into Coronation Market where hundreds of vendors ply their trade.
The unthinkable then occurred.
“The armed thugs opened fire at people in the market,” a source claiming to be an eyewitness told the Observer.
According to the source, the shooting took place just metres away from where a police armoured vehicle was parked.
When the shooting subsided three people were left with gunshot wounds.
Shortly after that incident gunfire again erupted, this time in nearby Tivoli Gardens, where hoodlums chased and shot a man.
Police yesterday were trying to piece together clues to ascertain if the second attack was in any way linked to the first.
“What we know, however, is that minutes after three persons were shot, gunmen went over to Tivoli Gardens and opened fire on a group of people in the area,” a police source said.
Police said that while they were carrying out a count of the victims, other people turned up at hospital nursing gunshot wounds, bringing to five the total number injured.
The series of attacks left downtown Kingston vendors and residents on edge.
“Right now this thing get serious, nobody no safe again. I wonder what next,” a woman whispered to the Observer news team.
Yesterday’s incidents drew a large contingent of police to the area.
The shootings also drew a large group of residents who said they were not satisfied with the reaction of the police.
“Right now some of the police are working but there are others dragging their feet,” a woman said as she stood along Spanish Town Road close to the Tivoli Gardens community.
“Some of the police them want to get draw-up, especially those in the armoured vehicle,” another woman shouted. “As far as we know a pure girl them a bring over there at nighttime and not doing them work.”
Meanwhile, head of the Kingston Western Police Division Senior Superintendent Cornwall ‘Bigga’ Ford warned that police would be pulling out all the stops to capture those responsible.
“I just want to use the opportunity to let Jamaica know what is happening in the area,” said Ford.
“In the last five weeks the division was peaceful and quiet. These latest attacks are in retaliation to a recent incident where the wholesale of a well-known businessman was robbed,” the senior cop added.
Police said more than $1 million worth of items were stolen from the business.
“Since this incident there have been a series of attacks, which have so far claimed the life of one person,” Ford told the Observer.
He said that in response to the developments police have not only increased their presence in the area but have also identified some of the individuals who they believe are key players in the ongoing feud.