A view of the busy Queen Street in Morant Bay, St Thomas. The rising number of murders is a key concern for residents of the parish. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

RESIDENTS OF Grants Pen and Yallahs in St Thomas are fearing reprisal attacks after the murder of a well-known woman in the parish two weeks ago.

The woman is said to be the mother of a community strongman linked to the death of Cecil Riley, also known as 'Petrol', a month ago.

One woman told our news team that as many as 50 people have been marked for death.

"Me not even know if a tonight or even tomorrow night me a go dead," she told The Gleaner. However, she said she has no plans to flee the community.

"Forty-five years now me live here, so where me going?" the obviously frustrated resident said.

Power struggle

The Gleaner has been informed that the rift between the dons, who are both believed to be aligned to the governing Jamaica Labour Party, is a power struggle that may have been catalysed by a dispute between the two at a session on May 15, 11 days before Riley's death. Some say the dispute may have stemmed from a tussle for subcontracts at the Yallahs ford.

The woman's murder was believed to be in reprisal for Riley's murder last month.

Reprisal

But police say there is no evidence that the woman's murder was a case of reprisal.

"I cannot confirm that it is a reprisal, but it is rumoured in that sense. Investigations are under way and I am not able to say at this point in time if it is a reprisal," said deputy superintendent of police in charge of crime, Carlos Bell.

According to Bell, there was no known rivalry between the men. He said the police were prepared, however, for any retaliation that might ensue after the woman's funeral, which is slated for this Saturday.

St Thomas has seen a 42 per cent jump in murders since the start of the year. Twenty murders were committed in January, six more than the corresponding period last year. However, major crimes are down 16 per cent, the police say.