Residents of Craig Town in St Andrew Southern are calling for immediate intervention from MP Mark Golding as deadly gang violence escalates, claiming the lives of three seniors in two months. The latest victim, 61-year-old Vincent Lyons, was shot dead on Sunday, fuelling fears of increased violence. Lyons, a respected figure in the community, is linked to the 110 Gang, and his death has left the community in turmoil. Locals fear that without swift action, the bloodshed will only intensify, further destabilising the already fragile area.

Constituents urge Golding to intervene to quell deadly turf war

Jamaica Gleaner/24 Sep 2024/Andre Williams/staff Reporter 

RESIDENTS OF Craig Town in St Andrew Southern are calling on Member of Parliament (MP) Mark Golding to immediately step in and quell the deadly gang violence which has resulted in the deaths of three seniors within the last two months.

The most recent murder occurred on Sunday night and has many fearing no-holds-barred warfare in response to the killing of the latest victim.

The deceased, 61-year-old Vincent Lyons, is a long-time strongman and is said to be the father and grandfather to a father and son duo who now have one section of the community under their leadership within the 110 Gang.

Reports from the West Kingston police are that, some time after 8 p.m., men seemingly aligned to the warring faction entered top Craig Town and shot and killed the elder Lyons.

“Craig Town has been broken for a while but now it worse… dem drop curfew. As it lifted, a murder. A three elder get murder now from July ‘til now. Dem don’t even bury yet. And now another. Di man dem just a kill, kill, kill. When you take away seniors, the community will have no guidance for youths. We need the MP to step in now, now, now,” a resident said.

According to the police, Lyons, also known as ‘Mccalla’, operated a bar along Madden Street.

He was reportedly standing on the roadway when he was pounced upon by men on foot, who opened fire, hitting him all over his body.

He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Eight weeks ago, on July 29, another senior member of Lyons’ family was shot and killed in a double murder which also rocked the broken community.

The deceased were identified as 64-year-old Carlyle Lyons, otherwise called ‘jungle Youth’ from Union Street, and 62-year-old Trevor‘cow’collins, from Pouyatt Street in the community.

That double murder occurred at a bar located on the corner of Union Street and Clarence Road in Craig Town.

Carlyle Lyons operated the bar and was said to be the target of that shooting.

A few weeks after the deadly shooting, the Kingston Western police charged a 17-year-old student for the double murder.

FEAR OF VIOLENCE

The student, who cannot be named because of his age, was charged with two counts of murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition and using a firearm to commit a felony.

“We need the MP fi step in. Him need to come here. The people don’t want to see the councillor. This reach a level of member of parliament because it a go get wicked. The don father dead inna the war now so there will be no peace in Craig Town. Mi can tell you that and, if it means overseas, the war will fight there as well,”another resident told The Gleaner yesterday.

The Kingston West police say they will be keeping a close watch on the space in alliance with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

A senior policeman told The Gleaner that the latest killing was being looked at as a critical element which could increase the violence in the already fragile space.

The police are reportedly acting on intelligence and, according to the senior investigator, cannot slip up with this latest killing.

Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, commanding officer for the Kingston Western Police Division, told The Gleaner that the leaders of the two gangs operating in the space, 110 and Gaza Gang, are responsible for the bloodletting in the community and have been recruiting men from Spanish Town, Waltham Park Road, Denham Town, Allman Town and Hannah Town to fight the bloody turf war.

Phipps said the police would be targeting the violence influencers and those imported into the space to commit murder and mayhem.

The Kingston Western police division has been managing a 24 per cent reduction in murders since the start of the year.

As at September 21, 45 murders were recorded compared to 59 during the corresponding period in 2023.

There has also been a 24 per cent reduction in shootings with 13 less reported incidents year-on-year.

The national murder toll stands at 842 since the start of the year.

This represents a 17 per cent reduction year-on-year.

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