Residents pray for peaceful Christmas

The murder of three persons in St James between Thursday and Sunday has left some persons worried that it could develop into a worrying trend.

"Although the parish now has a very low murder rate, over the past few days we have had a number of murders in quick succession, and that does not look very positive moving towards the upcoming Christmas holidays," Nigel Gooden, a Montego Bay businessman told WESTERN STAR. "I hope this trend does not flow over into the Christmas season."

Sunday night, 25-year-old Osbourne Grant, a resident of Gutters in Granville, was shot and killed by unknown assailants outside his home.

Three days earlier, 31-year-old Alando Ellis, a used tyre salesman, and 48-year-old Clive Jackson were shot and killed in St James.

EIGHT MURDERS

Some 88 persons have been murdered in the parish since the start of the year.

Meanwhile in Westmoreland, the cops are reporting that eight persons have been murdered in the parish over the last 15 days.

The latest victim is Denver Mclaren, 49, a labourer of Namprel Road. He was shot and killed by gunmen at his home on Sunday night.

"It has been very rough for several communities over the past two months," a resident said. "A number of us are now living in fear, and based on how these gunmen are terrorising us residents, we never know who will be their next target."

The residents say they are very concerned as the police, though patrolling, are mostly seen after an incident.

Police statistics indicate that 123 persons have been murdered in Westmoreland since the start of the year.