Man gunned down in churchyard

A Kingston pastor is pleading with shottas to put down their guns while clinging to hope that one of his congregants will recover after she was shot while worshipping in church last Friday.

According to the police, five persons were shot, one fatally in the attack that has left the Union Gardens, St Andrew community and churchgoers shaken. The deceased has been identified as Robert Rowe, 24, of Union Avenue, Kingston 13. Pastor Almond Gentles of the Jehovah Jireh Church of God told THE STAR yesterday that he was giving his sermon when all hell broke loose, forcing an abrupt end to the service.

"About 8:30 p.m., we had church here, persons were here worshipping and things like that, and that's when we heard shots on the outside. I realised one of my church members got injured and we assisted her to the hospital," Gentles said, adding that the member is still hospitalised and recuperating well.

"The shot didn't lodge, it entered from her back and fly through her breast. She has a lungs situation now, like a pinch or something of the sort, so she has a breathing situation, but not too much," Gentles said. The status of the other injured persons has not been ascertained.

Reports are that about 8:40 p.m., a group of men were sitting inside the churchyard when they were approached by gunmen who opened fire. The police were summoned and upon their arrival, Rowe, along with four others, were seen with gunshot wounds. They were taken to hospital where Rowe was pronounced dead and the others treated. Gentles said the incident has somewhat affected the operations of the church. On Wednesday, he tried to encourage his members to remain positive.

"We had church Sunday. Church was good Sunday. Kids were here so based on that it wasn't bad," he told THE STAR. The clergyman said these acts of violence are deep rooted and can lead to reprisal and more destruction.

"[I would say] to all the gunslingers and shottas, put down the gun, it's not good enough. What they are doing when they do these things, they are attacking innocent people. Others were injured by this situation. As young men I know that [there is a] purpose on their life, I know they have family, mother, father, cousins and relatives. If they do these things, they gonna attack back their relatives because this is an ongoing feud thing with the shottas. So shottas, what I am saying to you is put down the gun, it's not good," Gentles said.

The Hunts Bay Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) is investigating the incident. Lawmen are urging anyone with information to contact the Hunts Bay police at 876-923-7111, Crime Stop at 311 or the nearest police station.