WHITHORN, Westmoreland — Three men were shot and killed by a group of gunmen who went on a shooting rampage in two separate incidents in Westmoreland Friday night, police have confirmed.

The deceased have been identified as 56-year-old fruit vendor Stafford Anderson of Haddo, Westmoreland; 32-year-old Jason Weddherburn and 22-year-old Gowayne Morris, both of Lindo’s Hill in the parish.

Police said that around 8:30 pm, patrons at a shop in Lindo’s Hill were sent scampering for cover after a group of trigger-happy gunmen shot up the facility. Morris, who was at the business establishment, and Wedderburn,who was reportedly walking by, were both shot and taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Shortly after that Anderson was at his fruit stall in the nearby Haddo community when he was robbed and shot by a group of gunmen, believed to be the same set that killed Morris and Wedderburn.

Anderson was also taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, the Westmoreland police theorise that Friday night’s deadly shooting stems from a gang rivalry from an inner-city St James community which has flowed over into Westmoreland.

One of the two men who were killed in the first attack is believed to have been the target of the killers.

The killing of the three men catapulted the murder tally in Westmoreland to 46 since the start of the year — six more than that which was recorded for the corresponding period last year.