Tensions high in Linstead

The bloodstains were still visible yesterday at the entrance of Russell Pen, in Linstead, St Catherine, where police intercepted and fatally shot three suspected gunmen on Monday night.

The mood in the usually calm, farming location has changed.

"Round here is not a bad place and you nuh hear bout crime up here so. The most you will see a some likkle family war and nobody nah dead," a vendor told THE STAR. But he admitted that calm is no longer guaranteed.

"From the other side start rise up with the shooting them, a so every minute you hear something happen. What mi get fi understand is none a the man dem nuh come from round here but one a them have a brother in the area."

The Linstead Bypass, according to the residents, is a getaway route utilised by criminals. While it connects easily to the North-South Highway and makes travel convenient for everyday motorists, residents say it also gives criminals a fast track to freedom.

"Once the man dem jump inna car and reach the bypass, you nuh know weh dem gone. By the time police a try lock off di road, di man dem reach Moneague already. It just neva work out fi dem dis time," a farmer said.

Linstead sits at the heart of St Catherine's road network, linking the north and south of the island. From the bypass, it takes just minutes to get to Bog Walk, Ewarton, or even Spanish Town and Kingston.

"A bay things a gwaan round yah so now. A two different area but you ago hear things a gwaan because the bypass, a man out a the area," the farmer said.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the incident happened about 10:20 p.m. when officers from the St Catherine North Division intercepted a grey Toyota Axio believed to be carrying armed men. The men reportedly opened fire on the police, who returned the shots. One of the suspects was later captured, suffering from a broken leg. He remains in custody. A 9mm pistol was seized, and two police officers who were shot are now recovering in stable condition. STAR sources say the vehicle was a rental and the men had reportedly used it to commit a robbery before the deadly encounter.

Standing near the spot where the shooting occurred, a long-time resident was hesitant to pass the news team.

"From them kill the four year old is baay blood. Is from the early 80's this area known as a peaceful area but back Bog Walk side, round the roundabout, always have some feud a gwaan," he said.

Another man told THE STAR that he's not taking any chances.

"Me a man follow protocol, mi just sell and go back home. If police a come fi one man weh a do a crime and you there, you a get scrape up too. We haffi just be inna the right place," he reasoned.