News

War in the Pen

GUNMEN FROM OTHER Kingston communities are said to be invading the Cockburn Pen community and terrorising residents in a bid to take over the area, THE STAR understands.

Residents say the area was once peaceful until 25-year-old Milton "Ratty' Johnson, a prominent member of the area was killed by gunmen. Persons closely associated with him have vowed to get his killers, who they believe are from York Avenue and have fled and joined with a gang of men who are from outside the area. Residents claim the gang claim they are seeking revenge for Johnson's murder, but they are really trying to take over the community.

"Dem seh dem a get revenge fi ratty death because a man from over here kill him, but wi neva do nutten," a resident from York Avenue told THE STAR.

The charge to get Johnson's killers is said to be led by a deportee who has recruited men from a West Kingston Community, residents claim. "Everybady was friend but den him (the deportee) come back and just a try tek ova the whole area," one resident told THE STAR.

They say the gang has been responsible for the violence in other areas of the community including Grassquit Lane and White Wing Walk, which are two areas the gang is also trying to control. The gang is also moving to take over Flinch Crescent and Woodpecker Avenue, residents say.

Gain control

Already the warfare has claimed the life of a two year-old child in York Avenue and injured other residents. On June 20, two year-old Toni Ann Thomas and her father were hit by bullets which bore through the walls of their home while they watched television. Thomas was pronounced dead at hospital while her father was treated and released.

On June 22, Dwight Bascoe, who is the brother of David Bascoe a community leader of White Wing Walk who was killed last year, was shot dead along White Wing Walk. THE STAR understands that gunmen are targeting the Bascoe family in an attempt to gain control of White Wing Walk.

Bascoe's relatives and several residents have since fled the area in fear of their lives. When THE STAR visited the community, it resembled a ghost town with a few residents peeping over their walls and gates. "Nobady nuh round here again. Most a di people dem move out or gwaan stay wid family," a resident said showing the news team at least six houses that are now empty because of the violence.

Inspector Altamouth 'Parro' Campbell of the St. Andrew South Police Division said the flare-ups in Cockburn Gardens started after Johnson and a man known as Frass where killed about a month ago along Amin Drive.

He said the police understand that the violence in the area is caused by "importees", which are described as known criminals that have come into the area from other Kingston communities.

However he said intelligence suggests that the war in York Avenue and the war in White Wing Walk are separate and involve different sets of gangs.

In the meantime the police say they have the situation under control. "We have been patrolling the area and we have arrested a man in connection with the shooting of a taxi driver in the area, and we have recovered some high powered weapons as well," Campbell said.

Residents say the area has been flooded with police, however, it is rumoured that the shooting will resume after Johnson and Thomas are buried. "Wi hear seh dem a wait until the baby and Ratty bury. Dem still come true the area now, but dem fire no shot," a resident said.