A shooting incident in St Stephen’s Hill, St Michael, yesterday morning left one person injured, raising fresh concerns among residents about escalating violence in the area.
Inspector Duane Griffith, of the District ‘A’ Police Station’s Criminal Investigations Department, said it occurred around 11:45 a.m. and the young man was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by private vehicle.
He appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“We are asking if there is anyone in this area who has any information as to what occurred or they have witnessed the incident, to contact the District ‘A’ Police Station at 430-7242 or 430-7246,” he said.
An 85-year-old resident, who only gave his name as Drayton, said he was parking his vehicle on a nearby pasture when he heard the shots.
“In all my years of life, I’ve never seen any violence on this level. It is really bad,” he said. “I don’t even know why the young people are behaving like this nowadays.”
He added that he has had adjusted his daily routine to avoid potential danger. “After a certain time, I don’t be outside anymore. I not about getting caught up in anything that don’t concern me.”
Shopkeeper “Queen”, a pseudonym she requested, said the violence has become an unsettling reality. “I don’t even know what to say, like, in terms of safety because it’s a norm at this point,” she said, adding she has adjusted her operating hours in response to security concerns.
She said she typically shuts shop around 9 p.m. but often closes earlier depending on the atmosphere. “By the time it’s seven, eight, if it gets quiet, I close off because it gets very lonely and it can be scary. You never know when something will happen in this area because something happens out this side regularly.” (DDS)
BIM towards the West Side of Chicago.