Acts of reprisals, and the killing of a mother as she hosted a nine-night, have mounted tension in Church Corner, Morant Bay, St. Thomas, forcing police to maintain a strong presence in the area.

This follows Wednesday's killing of Antoinette Williams, 50, and injuring of her 22-year-old daughter after gunmen invaded the nine-night Williams was hosting for her son, an alleged area leader.

Police say about 2 a.m., men, dressed as soldiers and carrying high-powered weapons, invaded the wake for Fiztroy Williams who was killed recently.

The men sprayed the gathering with bullets before making good their escape. Further reports are that police officers were at the event, but the men struck after they had left.

Detectives report that more than 30 spent shells were recovered at the scene.

Police sources say Williams' killing had sparked a series of reprisals in the area which resulted in the death of one man.

The Morant Bay police are investigating.