Thugs battle for power since Dog Paw’s death

Residents of Kintyre in St Andrew say that they are afraid to walk the streets following the killing of Darren 'Percy' Cousins, a known affiliate of Christopher 'Dog Paw' Linton, on Monday.

Another man, Mikhail Clue, otherwise called Duckie was killed the following day in what police surmise was a reprisal.

"I have not gone outside all week. We don't know what is going to happen next. These men are operating as if they are playing out scenes in a movie," said one resident.

Head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Senior Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, said the police are doing everything in their power to restore order. He reiterated the need for citizens to come forward with information, noting some of the incidents happen in plain sight of some people.

"It is not a trust factor because police at various levels reached out, including myself, so it is not a fear factor. Some of them are just connected to what is happening in the area too so they don't want to support certain police endeavours," said Nesbeth.

He told THE WEEKEND STAR that the flare-up is between remnants of the Dog Paw gang which Linton reportedly led, and individuals aspiring for leadership.

"Following Dog Paw's demise, there is now some ruffling for control in the Back Road space," he said. "There were always persons who wanted to have their own exercise and all types of power, but Dog Paw, being the man he was, and they were afraid of him, they wouldn't push up. But now that he is out, they are pushing up."

Nesbeth said that the police are appealing to a man by the name of Ramone Mothersill, who they say is a person of interest in Cousins' killing. He also said that the police will step up their operations in the area in the next few days.

Despite the recent shootings, police statistics show that up to November 27, the division has seen an 11.4 per cent reduction in murders. The division has recorded 78 murders, compared to 88 for the corresponding period in 2020. Jamaica has so far recorded 1,315 murders between January 1 and November 27.