Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

A spate of killings in the Gregory Park community of St Catherine, which forced persons to move out of the area, has left those who remain in a state of shock.

In the latest incident, 24-year-old Denroy Taylor, of 41 Steven Avenue, was shot and killed by gunmen who kicked open his door about 5:20 a.m. Monday. His death follows that of Jennifer Bell, 43, and Racquel Hilton, both of Cottage Way in Gregory Park.

When The Gleaner visited the area, several residents said the community was on edge. According to Dahlia, Denroy's sister, it is a sad day for the Taylor family.

"We don't know what to say, but it rough. A only me him eat from and is yesterday mi len' him $2,000. So me realise now that mi will never get back this money, 'cause see it deh, dem kill him," she said.

Dahlia described her brother as hard-working, but very jovial. "Him love give joke and is one of the things that is missed most about him," she reminisced.

The residents say that all the activities in Gregory Park are being affected adversely by the upsurge of shootings which resulted in the loss of seven lives since the start of January.

Afraid to go out

One shopkeeper told The Gleaner people were afraid to leave their houses, thus his business was affected.

While The Gleaner was talking at that shop, the mourning multiplied as a woman walked up and shouted, "Lawd Jesus, Racquel just dead, from she get shot de odda day, mi know she couldn't mek it."

When checks were made at the nearby Gregory Park Primary School, the principal and other teachers expressed grave concerns. They told The Gleaner that as a result of the upsurge in crime, many of the 800 students were not attending school.

According to the guidance counsellor, constant counselling has to be done to ease the minds of several students, including Ms Bell's two children who attend that institution.

Meanwhile, the Caymanas police said they are working to stem the blood-letting.

"We need the cooperation of the citizens to ease the criminal activities. With the information, we can do better," remarked Detective Corporal Euclin Mendez.