The St Catherine South police said that the female who was shot and killed in an attack on Friday is believed to have been the target. Joan Scott was one of three persons killed in Grange Lane, Portmore.

Dexter Blake was the second victim. The third is yet to be identified.

"We have intelligence that Scott was the target, as her daughter was shot and killed in September when several houses were burnt by unknown persons. We heard that she was under threat, so it is fair to conclude that she was the main target," a senior investigator told The Sunday Gleaner.

Persons on the scene concurred with the police and said that for some time the area has been under attack from criminals who shoot, rob and kill.

"Right now this is very serious, as it is affecting the business community. People outside are afraid to come inside the community and it is not fair, this killing just make it worse," resident Monica Belnavis said.

According to reports, a group of persons were playing dominoes outside a plaza along Grange Lane about 7:55 p.m. on Friday, when they were attacked by gunmen who fired several shots, hitting four persons.

They were taken to hospital where Blake, Scott and an unidentified male succumbed to their injuries. The other male remains hospitalised.

The St Catherine South Major Investigation Division is conducting a probe into the matter.