Golding calls for calm amid murder in Arnett Gardens

Mark Golding, member of parliament (MP) for South St Andrew, yesterday decried a history of killings in his constituency after police sleuths were left baffled by the pre-dawn murder of a man on Pole Vault Pathway in Arnett Gardens.

Official police reports are that 34-year-old Carly Edwards was found with gunshot wounds on the pathway, located in a section of the community popularly called 'Brooklyn'.

Residents said they heard explosions about 4:45 a.m. and later summoned the cops, who spent much of the morning probing the scene for clues. Up to yesterday afternoon, however, the cops said they were still without a motive for the killing.

The South St Andrew constituency is home to several volatile communities, including Jones Town, Black Roses Corner, and sections of Rema (Wilton Gardens).

"It's always very saddening when we have these things happen and, unfortunately, they happen too often. We need to find a better way of living together and settling issues we may have," said Golding, who said he had been informed about the incident and had been in dialogue with residents and the police since.

"I would just urge persons to remain calm and avoid anything that would lead to further violence. The key to it is trying to create opportunities for people."

PUSHING FOR DEVELOPMENT

The MP said his office has been encouraging small businesses in the area.

Superstar American artistes Jay-Z and BeyoncÈ created excitement during a visit to the constituency earlier this month, and Golding said such events auger well for community tourism - an offering he has been pushing for the area. Several infrastructural projects are also on stream there, he said.

Yesterday afternoon, residents of Arnett Gardens said Edwards had returned from incarceration a year ago, after being convicted for gun-related crimes. Reports are that his shooting death stemmed from an altercation with a relative.

Superintendent Howard Chambers, head of the Kingston West Police, which has jurisdiction over that section of the constituency, said he could not substantiate those reports.

"Honestly, we have not even gotten any names as yet. We are a little surprised about that shooting because we have been doing a lot of work around there recently," said Chambers. "It is not as if we got any intelligence that there was tension or anything in the community."

corey.robinson @gleanerjm.com