SALT SPRING, St James – The Montego Bay police were last night interrogating two men in connection with Monday night’s brutal murder of three residents of this community.

The victims, identified as 55-year-old shopkeeper Victor Young; Arthley Campbell, a 34-year-old chef; and Wesley Scott, a 57-year-old caddie, all of Meghie Top in Salt Spring, were gunned down when gunmen went on a rampage.

As if not satisfied, the gunmen turned their weapons on a dog, after which they left the community on foot.

Police Superintendent John Morris, the operations officer in charge of Area One, said that although the police maintained a strong presence in the violence-prone community they would now be re-examining their approach in the area.

“.Obviously something needs to be improved; we are going to take a different approach,” Superintendent Morris said.

Young’s widow, Arlette, was overcome with grief yesterday as she described how her husband was shot and killed in front of their three-year-old granddaughter.

“I went outside and I heard the shots and I heard my granddaughter scream. I thought the shots were coming from outside. I heard another shot and I heard her scream again. I came back inside and called them. They did not answer. Then I discovered my husband lying in a pool of blood. She (granddaughter) was also covered in blood. I took her up and she said ‘grandma, they shot me’,” Mrs Young said, as a steady stream of tears flowed down her cheeks.

Monday night’s gruesome triple killing pushed the murder toll in the parish of St James for the year to 151, 14 more than the 137 recorded for the same period last year.

The police reported yesterday that about 11:45 Monday night, men armed with handguns, forcibly gained entry to Young’s businessplace, then opened fire, hitting him.

The gun-toting men, the police said, then went next door to a small restaurant operated by Campbell and sprayed him with gunshots.

Upon leaving the men turned their blazing guns on Scott who was standing in front of the restaurant.

The three injured men were taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Police said a number of 9mm and .45 spent shells were found on the scene.

Yesterday, fearful residents of the small community held hands and prayed as they reflected on the murder of their three community members.

A number of the residents expressed bewilderment at the shooting of the three, but they were more concerned about Young, who they said was “a loving father of the community”.

Young, they added, was helpful to youngsters in the community as he was never reluctant to offer financial assistance to ensure they attend school.

Young, they added, operated a youth club at his businessplace where young clubbites gathered in the evenings to play games and engage in other activities, aimed at helping to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

Marvin Murray, a 13-year-old student, was livid over the death of his club leader.

“He helped us at the club. He send us to school, he does a lot of things for us and I am very, very sad he died,” the youngster said.