FIVE PEOPLE were shot dead in Montego Bay, St. James, on the weekend.

Investigators were yesterday called to the scene of the double murder of Seymour Harvey and Claudia Lawson in the Retirement area. The two were found in bushes with gunshot wounds about 11:00 a.m. The police say several 9mm spent shells were recovered from the scene.

It was reported that the two went to a club in Montego Bay on Saturday night and they later attended a wake in Retirement. It is theorised that they were killed between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

No motive has been established for the killings.

In another incident, 27-year-old Wendell Watson's bullet-riddled body was discovered in a yard in Flankers about midday on Saturday after residents heard explosions. Detectives found a quantity of .45 spent shells and expended bullets at the scene.

It was a similar scene at Retirement, also on Saturday, when the body of 33-year-old mason Bill Rhoden was found at his yard hours after residents reportedly heard explosions in the area.

Meanwhile, the police theorise that robbery may have been the motive for the murder of Renn Brown, a 37-year-old accountant. Brown is a prominent member of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Montego Bay. He was shot and killed by unknown assailants at his gate in the upscale Mango Walk community last Friday night.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network, Brown drove to his home about 11:00 p.m. and was attacked by gunmen who shot him several times. He was pronounced dead at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

In recent weeks, the city of Montego Bay has been a hotbed of gun violence, including the murder of two police sergeants Alan Lindsay and Errol Brown, who were killed by criminals less than five days apart.

In response, the Police High Command has deployed additional manpower and resources to the western parish and joint police-military patrols have been intensified in troubled communities.

MoBay murder victims

Wendell 'Lotto' Watson, 27

Renn Brown, 37-year-old accountant

Bill Rhoden, 33, mason

Seymour 'Scratchy' Harvey

Claudia Lawson, 21