Residents of Cassava Piece, St. Andrew, are cowering in fear and hoping for the best in a situation in which they see no end.

A war between men on both sides of the community, which is separated by a gully, has resulted in the shooting of at least nine persons, six fatally, since Friday. "Look pon di place, yu nuh see how di place dead?" one resident said. Another added "A pure things a gwaan, and this ya war ya naw go done fi now."

The sight of police officers yesterday walking through the community with rifles in hand and fingers on the trigger, along with a unusual lull in activity was evidence of the tension.

The usually lively community, often decorated with men, women and children going to and fro or sitting by the gullly bouncing to tunes blasting through a sound system, was no more.

It a gwan from last year

"A from last year it a gwaan eno, from dem kill di yute inna election time last year, but it just a come up and a squash out, so a start it start back ya now," one resident said.

Tooth, a long-time resident said "Cassava Piece residents dem scared, mi naw tell nuh lie, cause a pure reprisal killing a go gwaan."

On Friday Carville McLeod, 35, a barber and Shavel Summon, 17, were shot dead by gunmen in the community. A 43-year-old man was injured in that incident. About 1 a.m. Saturday two men, Ricardo Howell of Cassava Piece and Horace Ferguson, 28, of Manor View Drive, Kingston 8, were shot dead by men driving by in a white Toyota Corolla on Constant Spring Road.

A few minutes later two men believed to be involved in the drive-by shooting, were killed during a shoot-out with police who signalled a car to stop. They were identified as Andrew 'Stucky' Hinds and Marlon 'Taco Bell' Smith, 29, of Cassava Piece. A .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with the serial number erased with six spent shells were seized. Residents say these latest incidents have caused the warring factions to 'arm themselves to the teeth', in anticipation of further attacks.

"Dem man ya a go all out now, all toothpaste and wig di man dem a wear and a bleach pon man...A dis mawnin di man dem broke dung da likkle place deh cause dem hear seh man dress up like woman in deh a look out fi man..dem strap up like crazy," Tooth said.

Close watch

Police say they will continue to maintain a close watch on the area in an effort to restore calm and peace.

Detective Sergeant Michael Greenwood of the Area 5 police, said police are aware of the situation in the community and say they will remain in the area.

"We know there has been some murders recently and the police will be present in the area to both restore peace and to prevent any further criminal acts," he said.