Tension in Whitehall Avenue after one killed, two wounded
Published:Saturday | July 20, 2024 | 12:10 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The Constant Spring police are keeping a close eye on sections of Whitehall Avenue following the deadly early morning shooting yesterday. Three persons were struck with bullets, one fatally.
The deceased has been identified as Marlon ‘Cripple’ McNeil and is believed to be the target of the attack.
Two other men, including an elderly, were hospitalised for multiple gunshot wounds.
Eyewitnesses say the elderly man was on his way to work when he got shot.
“A pass the man a pass and the shot dem start ring out and him a try turn back and pick up two shot ina him hand… a cross the road the man stand up that mean say anybody could get shot,” a resident told The Gleaner.
When our news team visited the location hours after the shooting the residents were conversing among themselves all concerned that the shooting may negatively affect businesses and foster tension.
“Right now, him (deceased) was like a target, when him come stand up beside me, me find a way to move. Him did a play sound system ina the last part so people know him… The place just ago get tense ya now and Whitehall is a place where trouble set like rain. We afi just look and listen right now, this nuh pretty,” the resident said.
Some residents told The Gleaner that is was a blessing that school was not in session.
“Right deh so is where pedestrians walk to take their children to school or children walk by themselves to the school. We want the police dem do the investigation and bring whoever to justice. We don’t want Whitehall to break out again. A whole heap a shot fire enuh, the weekend ago tense. A man wake up this morning and never know today was the last day,” an elderly woman said.
The police were quick on the scene and investigators were following blood trails and collecting things of evidential value.
Senior officers told The Gleaner that Whitehall can be a problematic space and so they will be monitoring the space with a keen eye as the murder and shooting investigation takes its course.
The St Andrew North Police Division has recorded a 22 per cent increase in murders and 22 per cent increase in shootings as at July 13.
Thirty-three murders have been committed and 39 shootings.
Injured persons report have also increased when compared to the similar period in 2023. Rape, robberies and break-ins have declined.