Bullets fly during hurricane - Residents say warring factions leave them in fear

A reputed feud between 'shottas' from two areas in the Kingston Western Police Division has left residents in fear.

Residents said that the warring factions on Benty Lane, which is situated off Maxfield Avenue, and Rose Town have indicated their intention to expel their wrath on citizens. What is believed to be the first incident happened in a pre-dawn house fire, which is said to have been an act of gunmen.

"Benty Lane and Rose Town are at war. Shooting gwan inna di day yesterday (Wednesday). When rain a fall, shot a fire fi bout half hour straight. The same set a man dem come back inna the night, and light the place. Dem say gal a talk to man cross the lane," one resident of Rose Town said. When the news team visited the community on Thursday, the fear was evident on the faces of the residents. Others stayed inside their homes while others have reportedly fled for their safety.

"A shooting gwan out pon the front, pon Spanish Town Road and four people get shot and I think a man dead. So a that cause the friction between Rose Town and Benty Lane because dem a say Benty Lane man dem do the killing. So a retaliation this now and dem say a more retaliation to come. Dem say more house a guh burn, bare threat a make," the resident said further.

Head of the police division, Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, has indicated that the police are working to ensure peace.

"In the general areas, what we do as part of our strategy is to first pursue perpetrators of violence across the area. At the same time, we try to get our Community Safety and Security Branch to do intervention in whatever conflicts may exist," Phipps said. He indicated that investigations are ongoing into Thursday's attack and no motive has yet been established.

"We're not sure exactly what may have caused it at this time, but we are investigating. We are still investigating to establish how the fire started and if it is an act of arson," the senior policeman said.