Internal conflict theorised in Park Lane double murder
Published:Wednesday | April 6, 2022 | 12:14 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The murder tide in the St Andrew North Police Division shifted to the Park Lane community on Tuesday after men reportedly posing as cops killed two men, setting off fresh fears in the crime hotspot.
The deceased have been identified as 40-year-old Patrick ‘Indian’ Thompson and Yohan ‘Gunna’ Green, both of the low-income Kingston 19 neighbourhood.
They were shot fatally about midnight.
Residents were tight-lipped on Tuesday but reports are emerging that the incident may be linked to an internal conflict.
A senior police officer and residents confirmed that the attackers used a ruse to catch their victims unaware.
“Dem dress inna police clothes and take yard (nearby residence) and enter. The people dem afraid to speak up, but things a brew long time,” a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Gleaner.
The Constant Spring police said a team was on patrol in the area when explosions were heard.
The bodies were found in a pool of blood.
Thompson and Green were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
St Andrew North has recorded an uptick in violence in recent days.
On March 28, 60-year-old bar operator Lorna Johnson of Glen Drive was shot and killed metres from her gateway after closing her business place.
On April 1, Morgan Lane was rocked by a triple murder, comprising reputed area leader Bamsha ‘Bomba’ Miller, 44; Miller’s brother, 42-year-old Joseph ‘Joe’ Smith and 39-year-old Kevin Nester Edie.
The men were cut down about 5:50 p.m. by men travelling in a motor car.
St Andrew North, up to April 3, recorded an increase of two murders year-on-year.
Statistics by the JCF show that 17 people have been murdered in 2022, compared to 15 for the corresponding period last year.
There have been 17 shootings over the period this year, four more than 13 recorded in 2021.
Nationally, 385 people have been murdered in 2022, seven fewer than number registered last year.