The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

ONE man is dead and six others are in hospital after they were shot at a “Bring the Peace Back in Bain Town” party Monday night.

It happened shortly after 11:30pm.

According to reports a group of persons were attending the party on Rupert Dean Lane when a number of armed men opened fire on the group and fled the area on foot.

Seven men were shot and were taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital by ambulance.

One man died of his injuries early yesterday morning, another was released and the remaining five are said to be in stable condition

Speaking with The Tribune after his release from hospital, one of the victims, who did not wish to be named, described the incident as “pure pandemonium.”

“I was at the party standing up, listening to music just having a good time as they say because the theme of the party was ‘Bring Back the Peace in Bain Town’. We have it every Monday night and a few guys just decided they wasn’t for the peace and they came straight out shooting, it wasn’t no warning, no nothing. They walk up from behind everyone that’s what is so astonishing,” he said.

“They weren’t at the party, these two guys just opened fire on everyone and pure pandemonium open up. Everyone tried to get to safety.”

“I picked up shots. I got shot in the thigh, the arm and took a pellet to the face. I was outside close to the road so there wasn’t much I could do in terms of running. Thank God for life. I was discharged, I could have died. I know one thing I am not going back to any parties. That is my only outing in my neighbourhood and I am not going no more. No more parties for me. I am done.”

Police Superintendent Stephen Dean, with an Urban Renewal team, canvassed the Bain Town area early yesterday morning looking for leads into the shooting. He is also encouraging persons having parties or gatherings for the holidays to contact police so they can provide whatever assistance they can.

“There are some who do not want to see communities get together, who will always be disruptive despite good intentions of community leaders. So we want to make sure that people can still operate in their community and have socials in a safe environment. They should be free to socialize, they should be free to come together as community leaders and rally the community together,” Supt Dean said.

“We know this is the time for people to socialize, people have worked hard all year and they want to let their hair down, but we want to say to organizers it is important to let police know that an event is going to be happening in your area. Communicate with your Divisional Commander and let them know so there is a relationship. Because sometimes we don’t know about these things, but when we do find out we try to get a level of police presence. We are saying try to have a list so you know who you invite and the public should try to avoid these parties that are open for all – that creates problems. A level of control is important. Be careful  of suspicious persons lurking the area, once you see trouble brewing call the police immediately do not wait until a fight or some altercation has taken place.”

This latest death brings the country’s murder count to 105 for the year. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.