GUNMEN yesterday killed one man and injured three other persons in the Lakes Pen community in St Catherine.

Last night, the police identified the dead man as Rhone Thompson, a 53-year-old business operator known to residents as ‘Chucky’.

Police report that at about 11:30 am, a group of men was standing close to the Lakes Pen Apostolic Church when men drove up in a motor car.

A brief discussion took place before the men in the motor vehicle opened fire on the group. Residents who heard the explosions alerted the police.

“The police were called to the area, and following a search of the area five persons were found suffering from gunshot wounds,” said one police officer on the scene who declined to give his name as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The police said Thompson succumbed to his injuries while the other victims remain in hospital.

The St Catherine North Police have since opened an investigation into the shooting.

The police have also said that they will be maintaining a presence in the area to calm tensions and stifle any plan to retaliate.

Meanwhile, in Central Village, police from St Catherine South were on high alert as criminal gangs issued several threats against members of the security forces following the arrest of an alleged gang leader in the area.

The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the police information arm, reported that Dave Morgan o/c ‘Dave’, alleged leader of the Born Bless Gang in Central Village, was arrested during a police operation.

“Morgan was captured during a police cordon and search activity early yesterday morning in Little Lane, Central Village,” the police release said.

Police said 22 other persons were also detained. They also alleged that during a search of Morgan’s premises, 51 pieces of cocaine were seized along with $119,000 in cash.

“Morgan has subsequently been charged with possession of and dealing in cocaine. Sixteen of the other 22 persons taken into custody have been charged with various offences including abstraction of electricity and possession of illegal drugs. Steps are being taken to forfeit the confiscated cash to the Crown,” the CCN reported.

Police yesterday said since Morgan was arrested and charged, the police, especially the commanding officer for Central Village and other police officers working in the area, have been receiving death threats.

Yesterday, the officer-in-charge of the St Catherine South Division, Senior Superintendent Colin Pinnock issued a call for police personnel living and working in Central Village, Spanish Town and other areas close to Central Village to be on the alert as the threats are being taken seriously.