More bloody days in St James - Three men killed in 24 hours

St James recorded three more deaths between Wednesday evening and midday yesterday, pushing the parish's murder toll to 328, with just two days remaining until the end of 2017.

Dead are Kerry Fairclough, otherwise called 'Biggs', and Aaron Taylor, also known as 'Carlos', who were killed in a drive-by shooting along Howard Cooke Boulevard in Montego Bay yesterday, as well as a third man, Paul 'Little Paul' Cueulette, 42, who was killed the evening before on Hart Street in the Second City.

The Gleaner understands that close to midday yesterday, Fairclough and Taylor were both travelling in a black Toyota Caldina when, on reaching a stop light at an intersection, another vehicle pulled up and the occupants opened fire.

Though the men in the Caldina drove away in an attempt to escape, the vehicle came to a stop some distance away. One of the victims tried to run but collapsed a few metres away as passers-by scampered to safety and the gunmen made their getaway.

On the arrival of the Freeport police, the men's bodies were removed and the scene processed.

In the second incident, involving Cueulette, it is reported that he was in his yard at about 6:45 on Wednesday evening when he was pounced upon and shot by an unknown assailant or assailants.

Concerned citizens rushed Cueulette to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

It is understood that Cueulette was a 'deportee' who returned to the island five months ago.

Investigations into both incidents continue.