Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine

The Central Village police say a gang war was the motive behind the murder of a 19-year-old woman and the injuring of four persons during a shooting in Caymanas Bay, St. Catherine on Thursday night.

Dead is Nashauna Barrett, while the four injured males were hospitalised with gunshot wounds.

"We believe gang war is the motive. However, recently one of the major players was found dead. But it has restarted," said sub-officer Detective Sergeant Rodney Matthews who is attached to the Central Village Police Station. He added that, in July, several persons were shot and killed in and around the community by men from the area believed to be fighting over a mineral spring in the community which has been a source of contention for some time. The property is said to be owned by the Urban Development Corporation.

Police on foot patrol

Detective Sergeant Matthews told The Gleaner the police have started a foot patrol in the area to bring the gang war under control.

About 9:45 Thursday night, the five were playing ludo when a car drove up, men alighted and started firing shots, hitting all and killing the woman.

The St. Catherine South Homicide team has since commenced an investigation into the incident.