THE fatal shooting of Nicola Barrett, 22, who was killed during a gunfight between the police and gunmen yesterday, sparked a demonstration and roadblock on Spanish Town Road, one of Kingston’s busiest thoroughfares.

Residents claimed that the young woman, who resided at Crescent Road, was sitting in front of her house with several other women, when the police appeared and opened fire on them. They said Barrett, who was hit in the chest, was pronounced dead at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Residents also claimed that while they were demonstrating the police threw stones at them, wounding one woman.

The police, however, denied causing Barrett’s death.

According to Deputy Superintendent Oswald C Ayre of the Hunts Bay Police Station, Barrett was killed during a running gun battle between the police and the “Whap Dem” gang – one of two gangs operating in the area, the other being the “Rat Bat” gang.

“Nicole Barrett was not murdered by the police today at Crescent Road. The police received a call that the “Whap Dem” gang were poised to attack the “Rat Bat” gang and the police responded. Upon entering the area we were fired upon by members of the “Whap Dem” gang. A running gun battle ensued along Union Gardens, through Crescent Road, and ended in the vicinity of the Delacree Park area, during which Barrett was shot. She was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries,” said Ayre.

The police said five persons, including the reputed leader of the “Whap Dem” gang, were subsequently apprehended in relation to the gun battle.

The deputy superintendent said it was, however, unfortunate that an innocent bystander was killed, but said investigations should prove what went wrong.

“This underscores the difficulty the police faces daily in this division,” said Ayre.

Barrett leaves behind a six-week-old daughter, Nikita Smith, and her mother, who, according to residents, was taken to hospital after fainting at the news of her daughter’s death.

In the meantime, Ayre said the two gangs have been feuding for some time over work being done on the sewerage pipes in the area.