POLICE have confirmed that gang-related violence has forced at least nine families to flee their homes in the tough uptown community known as Common, located off Red Hills Road in St Andrew.

Yesterday, there were unconfirmed reports that a gang had been issuing printed notices telling residents to leave the community.

At least seven persons have been killed and another six shot and injured since violence broke out in the community on the morning of the public session of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) conference, which was held at the National Arena on November 26.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Les Green, who heads the Major Investigation Task Force, told the Observer yesterday that a powerful gang has begun to self-destruct.

“We know that there has been intimidation by both sides involved in the conflict because a gang in the area has split,” Green said. “We know that there has been pressure put on by one side of the gang to get out anyone deemed loyal to the other side.”

Among the injured in the attack on Common was area leader Cleveland ‘Cassie’ Downer, who police said was the target of the attack.

The shooting started on the morning of Sunday, November 26, after a group of men rained bullets on Downer and other residents as they were about to leave for the JLP conference. One man was killed and six others injured in that attack.

Green said although there were two arson attacks and five more murders since that incident, the police were unable to name any suspects as no witnesses had come forward.

“What we have is intelligence and unfortunately we can’t name any suspects unless witnesses come forward and give us statements,” Green said.

He said, however, that the police would take root in the area until the gunmen were flushed out and order was restored.