PNP on Buff Bay violence – UPDATE
Published:Wednesday | March 18, 2009 | 12:46 PM
The People\'s National Party (PNP), is expressing concern about the shooting death of two men in Buff Bay, Portland by the police this morning.
The men were shot dead about 2’ o clock this morning along Thompson Avenue, after they and another man, who reportedly escaped into the Holly Vere Housing scheme in the community, allegedly challenged a team of police personnel.
The police have since identified the men killed as 27-year-old labourer, Abraham Campbell, and 21-year-old Craig Clarke who was unemployed. Campbell, out on bail pending sentencing for shop breaking and larceny charges, was scheduled to return to court on April 3.
Both men have been linked to several serious crimes, which have taken place in the Buff Bay community in recent times.
The police are maintaining that the gun battle involving the two men had no political connections, while the PNP is claiming that the men were supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
The police are still searching for the other suspect, who alighted the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Buff Bay police identify men killed EARLIER REPORT
The Portland police have identified the two men who were killed during an alleged shootout this morning.
They are 27 year old labourer, Abraham Campbell, and 21 year old Craig Clarke who was unemployed.
Both men are from Smith Avenue addresses in Buff Bay.
The deadly gun battle took place shortly after 2 2 a.m., hours after Prime Minister Bruce Golding left the West Portland constituency after speaking at a rally in Bangaridge, Buff Bay.
The police say they signaled a car to stop during a routine spot check and were shot at.
They say they returned fire and the vehicle crashed into a nearby wall.
The driver of the motorcar and the passenger were found suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of the men was reportedly shot in the chest and the other in the head.
The two were pronounced dead at hospital.
The police say a 9 millimetre pistol with several live rounds was found in the vehicle.