GUNMEN yesterday shot dead two men in Spanish Town, St Catherine, triggering fear and tension among residents in the old capital as police blamed the deadly shooting on an ongoing gang feud.

The dead men have been identified as 47-year-old Fitzroy Williams, alias 'Junior Ranks', and Barrington McDowell, said to be related.

The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) reported that about 3:30 am both men were at their home on St John's Road when gunmen invaded the house and opened fire, killing the two.

The men's relatives found their bullet-riddled bodies lying in pools of blood after residents reported hearing loud screams coming from the house.

"I was in my house and I hear several loud explosions and that was when I heard the wailing," said one frightened looking woman as she peered through the zinc fence of her one-bedroom dwelling.

"Right now, this incident has left me in fear," said a male resident.

While they spoke, a large detachment of police and soldiers combed the area as they searched for those responsible for the murders. A few men were later held by the police for questioning.

The police vowed to keep a strong presence in the area. "Information we have received is that this is linked to a feud in the area," said a police source, who added that last week a woman in a neighbouring community was shot dead.