In a devastating incident that has shaken the community of Central Village in Spanish Town, St Catherine, a violent gang feud exploded in the heart of Chinatown yesterday, leaving four people dead, including one of the parish’s most wanted, Justin ‘AK Man’ McGregor.
The gruesome encounter marked a dark chapter in the community’s history.
The longstanding animosity between rival gangs has been simmering for years, leading to sporadic outbreaks of violence. However, this latest confrontation was particularly ferocious, resulting in the loss of four lives that sent shock waves through the entire region.
McGregor, notorious for his criminal activities and evasive manoeuvres, had been a constant thorn in the side of law enforcement. For years, the authorities had been relentlessly pursuing him, but he always managed to evade capture.
Rapid gunfire
The clash unfolded suddenly, about 3:30 a.m., catching residents of the community off guard. Eyewitnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire erupting on the hillside of Chinatown, prompting fear and chaos in the vibrant community.
As the dust settled, the extent of the tragedy became apparent.
McGregor, alongside three other gang members, two of whom are said to be his cousins, lay lifeless on the blood stained ground outside the house they were occupying. When law enforcement got to the scene, it had already left a traumatised community in its wake.
Chinatown has long been a close-knit neighbourhood where residents know each other by name, and children play freely in the streets. But the recent escalation in gang violence has cast a dark shadow over the community’s sense of security and unity. Many residents are now living in fear, wondering when the next wave of violence will strike.
Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, who was quick on the scene, told reporters that the men were members of the Jaggy Jaggy Gang, one member of which was linked to the Gordon Pen community in Spanish Town.
“Investigators from St Catherine South have seen where in recent times there has been some alliance between men from Central Village and Gordon Pen communities, so they are working closely with St Catherine North division to see how they can gather more intelligence,” Lindsay said.
One resident of the community, who requested anonymity, told The Gleaner that the men have been plaguing the community for some time, creating all kinds of problems.
“A dem a hot up the place man, dem a di real gangster,” he said.
Some family members, who visited the scene while the bodies were being removed, expressed sadness at the demise of the men.
“Dem come from good background but they took up badness. Really sorry it has to end this way,” remarked one family member.
McGregor’s death, while bringing some closure to his reign of terror, is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues plaguing Spanish Town. As authorities continue their investigation into the incident, the focus remains on dismantling the structures that fuel gang activities and violence, Lindsay said.
The police were able to identify one of the other men as Mark Ellis, otherwise called Frassy T. The remaining two were, up to yesterday, only identified by their aliases, Attoman and Mento.