PEACEMAKING efforts in the volatile community of August Town in St Andrew were yesterday cut short, after early afternoon gunshots forced the rescheduling of a meeting that would have allowed residents of five communities to sit down and discuss the violence rocking the area.

The gunshots were said to have been a "gun salute" at the funeral for Mark Hamilton, of Goldsmith Villa, who was killed by the police.

Community officials, including the police, were already assembling for the meeting, which should have started at 3:30 pm, but following the "salute" decided they would not take any chances.

President of the August Town Citizens Association Kenneth Wilson said the prevailing situation was not in the best interest of the community, and so the meeting was rescheduled.

"It has been rescheduled for this Wednesday at the August Town Community Centre, at 4:00 pm," Wilson said.
Over the last couple of weeks, the community has been under siege, as gang violence continues to claim the lives of several persons.