Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

Scores of residents in Jones Town, St. Andrew, have fled their homes after being threatened and ordered to leave by gunmen from the community, THE STAR understands.

Information reaching THE STAR indicates that residents have been leaving the community in droves after the gunmen, said to be members of the Joe Benbow Gang, branded them as informers and threatened to kill them following the killing of two gang members and the seizure of three high-powered firearms belonging to the thug.

ordered to leave

A community member, who wished not to be identified for fear of being killed, said a barrage of shots was fired by the gang on Sunday night and many residents ordered to leave.

"Dem have di community under siege since night, caa dem seh a people ina di place a inform pon dem ... A bear shot fire las' night afta police tek dem gun weh, an nuf people a get notice fi lef di area," the resident said.

Head of the Kingston Western Division, Superintendent Delroy Hewitt, confirmed that residents are being forced out the community by the gang members, who have also sent threatened the police.

"They have issued threats to police on a number of occasions, and they are telling some residents to leave the community," said Hewitt.

infuriated by 'leaks'

Residents say the gang is infuriated by 'leaks' from the community, which resulted in the gun seizures and fatal shooting of the gang members, one on Thursday and the other yesterday.

Killed yesterday was Miguel 'Mackie-Boy' Ebanks, who was wanted for murder. Reports say about 9:30 a.m., an operation was being conducted along Slipe Pen Road, when Ebanks was spotted. Police said he pulled a firearm and was subsequently shot dead. A Haskell .45 pistol with four live rounds was found on him.

Less than three hours later, police, on a second operation on Benbow Street (Jones Town), found two high-powered rifles, a Sturn Ruger Mini 14 and a DPMS Panther Arms, and 209 assorted rounds of ammunition. It was not clear whether anyone was arrested in connection with the find.

Hewitt said intelligence has suggested that the gang has declared war against the police, for the killings.

They made good on threats to attack the Denham Town Police Station, as it was fired on Sunday night.

"There is no doubt that they did it as a reprisal for the killing of two members recently ... We also believe that these same men were the ones that shot up the Trench Town Police Station on Friday," said Hewitt.

This station attack occurred about 10:30 p.m. It was also repored that the Admiral Town and Trench Town police stations were also fired upon.

Regardless, cops say they will continue their efforts to demolish the gang. "We will be pursuing these men relentlessly, and bring them all to justice ... All I have to say to gang members is we know who you all are, and we will be coming for you soon," assured Hewitt.

"Dem have di community under siege since night, caa dem seh a people ina di place a inform pon dem ... A bear shot fire las' night afta police tek dem gun weh, an nuf people a get notice fi lef di area,"