Order restored in St Ann community

Calm returned to Hessen Castle and surrounding communities in deep rural St Ann yesterday, a day after residents protested the killing of a man by a licensed firearm holder.

Relatives, aided by residents of the community of Hessen Castle, are demanding justice in the shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Thompson Monday evening by a businessman who is a licensed firearm holder.

The irate residents attacked and injured four police personnel, damaged three service vehicles and a hearse that had gone to remove the body.

One man was injured by police fire as the lawmen defended themselves.

The residents also torched two buildings in the community owned by the businessman.

Several persons were detained by the police but were later released.

The businessman has since been taken into custody for questioning.

Relatives are particularly perturbed by the chain of events surrounding the shooting.

According to a cousin of the deceased, Doreen Chance, Thompson and the accused had a case in court. Chance, who showed The Gleaner pictures she took of the body, said he was shot five times and died on the spot around nine o'clock Monday morning but no one knew of the incident until after 2 p.m. when the police arrived.