The Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council's examinations were disrupted at the Ascot High School on Friday, following an alleged shoot-out between gunmen and police on the school grounds.

Students were preparing to sit Caribbean history, scheduled for 9 a.m., when gunshots rang out.

It is reported that almost an hour earlier, three men, travelling in a Suzuki Vitara, shot and injured a man identified as Mark Sangsters, in the Greater Portmore community of Eight West.

Sangsters sought refuge at the Greater Portmore Police Station.

The police went in search of the gunmen and intercepted the car in front of Ascot High School.

This led to a gun battle on the school's premises.

Christopher Hemmings of De La Vega City, an alleged member of the 'Klansman' gang, was shot and killed during the shoot-out, and a Glock pistol seized.

The other gunmen escaped.

The incident sent shockwaves across the school community, leaving students traumatised.

student fainted

One student, who requested anonymity, said the gunshots brought on a fainting spell. She said she was hoping to get enough time to regain her strength before sitting the examination so that the ordeal would not affect her performance.

Principal Cedric Murray told The Gleaner that contact had been made with the Overseas Examinations Office; however, he was unable to say what would happen if students missed their examinations.

Murray said the office asked that he try to get the students mentally ready.

A number of parents who converged on the scene of the crime and expressed concern about the situation and said they hoped things would work out well.

"Although the shooting was no fault of CSEC, I hope the children would get the chance to resit, as they could not properly deal with the subject at this time," said Margaret Bailey, whose child was sitting the examination.