Boys play ‘gun war’ near murder scene

The sight of a group of young boys playing 'gun war' along Rosemary Lane in central Kingston yesterday while detectives processed a murder scene betrayed the extent to which the gun culture has permeated the society.

As scene of crime detectives searched for clues as they investigated the murder of 40-year-old Alto Reid, the young boys 'fired blanks' at each other. While the youngsters were unhindered by the presence of the police, some adult residents were disturbed by their actions.

"Mi can tell yuh dis, di killings and the bagga shootings a become the norms for these likkle youths. Yuh see how relaxed dem a behave a buss dem blanks round di police?" a resident said.

So grim is the reality that it left several of the lawmen bereft of words at the level of disregard being shown.

"Di next two or three years a we affi go start run dem down because dem a full-blown gunman," remarked a detective, appearing to be astonished by how casual the boys were.

"Is like none a dem nuh business say we a police. But mi cyah blame dem still, it start from the homes," another said.

The boys, appearing to be between ages nine and 12, while using their fingers to mimic handguns, chased each other around with much glee while their adult relatives looked on.

"Boi! Boi! P%&%y yuh dead!", exclaimed a shirtless, barefooted boy whose eyes were affixed on a policeman.

"Di police dem cyah save yuh... boi!", another said.

Cops were called to the blood-soaked Central Kingston community after Reid was shot and killed inside his home by an unknown assailant. He was reportedly shot several times in the head and upper body. Some residents surmised that this is linked to the ongoing war between the Genasyde and Darkside gangs.

"A Monday night dem come fi kill him and di gun stick a him head. Him have nuff places to go a country and still hitch up inna di lane until dem kill him. Mi warn him countless times that him must leave dem company deh but him never wah hear," one of Reid's relatives said.

At least 75 murders and 70 shootings have been recorded in the Central Kingston Police Division since the start of the year. The police have linked a significant portion of the killings and shootings to the feud.