We are not in any war - White Wing residents deny being part of gang feud after three men murdered

The community of White Wing in St Andrew was rocked to its core, when three men were shot and killed on Tuesday night.

When the news team visited the community yesterday, family members sat on the bench where the men were before they met their untimely fate.

The slippers which the three men were wearing were still on the scene and residents used dirt to cover the blood that was splattered all over the ground.

The incident, which took place minutes before 7 a.m., claimed the lives of shop owner Andrew Clarke, labourer Gilbert Wade, and Mark Pinnock.

Clarke's sister- in-law said that he and her sister had been married for 17 years.

"He has five children and one of his daughters who attends college had to go and sit an exam today. Right now I don't even know how she is managing this," she said.

The news team learnt that there are three communities at war, Majesty Gardens, Bell Rock and White Wing.

However, residents from White Wing say they should not be targeted.

When asked if they are involved in the war, one resident said: "Who and dem deh yah a war? Every man weh deh yah a working man dem and the rest a dem a young youth dem weh a go school."

Uphill battle

Clarke's sister-in-law said: "Right yah so the man (Clarke) have him shop and him deh out yah a wait pan him daughter because she go college and him nuh like go in before she come in."

A relative of Pinnock said that he went to the shop to purchase food when he saw friends and decided to hang out for a while.

Residents said they are now faced with an uphill battle as they are caught in a fight they do not belong in. This, after the shooting death of another resident on Monday about 4 a.m.

"He came out to use the bathroom and dem kill him. The first person weh dead, why the police never come and have people deh round? Dem affi wait till three more dead?" one resident said, adding that people are now forced to stay in their homes to avoid being killed.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Devon Watkis, commander for Area Four, said he is appealing to persons in and around the community to cease and desist from engaging in the continuous gang feud.

"We express our sympathies to the families and friends (of the victims). I have been engaging in several activities to put a lid on this situation. I have all the confidence that we will, however, I still wish to appeal to the conflicting persons who know each other, since they were friends before and are now in conflict, to stop the killing. Seek intervention," he said.

He also asked those responsible to surrender to "get their day in court".

"They may have thought what they did was the right thing at the time but loss of life affects the conscience of the soul. With that said, the police will continue to provide a reassuring presence," he continued.

He also asked residents to come forward with any information they have so the police are able to put a lid on this matter.