Full-blown gang conflict as three die in Rose Heights attack

WESTERN BUREAU:

As intra-gang warfare deepens in St James, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Chambers has admitted that it has been difficult to break criminals' stronghold in a grinding war of attrition.

That grim analysis came hours after a drive-by shooting in Rose Heights, St James, in which three persons were killed and two others hospitalised with injuries.

“To convict the gangs, we have to get evidence. To get the evidence, you have to get the statement, and to get the statement, you have to make people feel comfortable,” Chambers, the Area One police chief, said in a Gleaner interview Thursday, emphasising the difficulty in securing convictions.

The deceased in Wednesday afternoon's attack are 27-year-old Chadwell Fraser, otherwise known as 'Bomb Brain' or 'Chad', of Felicity Road, Glendevon; Chamario Calvin, aka 'Chippy', 24, of Ball Ground, Rose Heights; and Toniann Reid, aka 'Too Fly', who resided at Jarrett Terrace. All had St James addresses.

Police investigations point to an ongoing conflict the Shab Don, Whittaker, Buss Head, and Fred Man gangs.

“We are not getting the statements to facilitate the evidence and to facilitate the anti-gang dream coming to fruition,” the assistant commissioner said, frustration evident in his voice.

Noting that he understood that residents were fearful, he acknowledged that the task was Herculean.

Since the incident, the police have increased patrols and other measures to guard against reprisals in Salt Spring, Albion, and Green Pond, Chambers said.

The Rose Heights gunfight is believed to have been a clash of rivals, with their attackers surprising the victims during a birthday party for one of the injured men.

Cartridges recovered at the scene suggest that high-powered rifles were used.

Reports are that the group was on Marl Road when a silver Toyota Axio motor vehicle drove up. Masked men with rifles exited the car and opened fire. The incident occurred at 4:20 p.m.

Reid was shot in the back and buttocks, Calvin in the head and thigh, and Fraser in the upper body.

Fraser was pronounced dead on arrival at Cornwall Regional Hospital, and Calvin and Reid succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

Chambers is imploring citizens to call with information that could help to solve the crime.

“We just want anyone with information to feel free to call us. Information that can lead us to who are the persons who were involved,” he appealed.

A curfew has been imposed in the affected area for the next 48 hours.