RESIDENTS of Armada Apartments in Portmore, St Catherine, say they are not afraid following a gun attack that left three would-be robbers dead, and a licensed firearm holder injured at the complex.

The resident, who spoke to the Jamaica Observer on condition of anonymity on behalf of the other residents, said that it was the first such incident in 30 years.

“Is not a community that is populated with wrongdoers; is primarily working people and also retirees so this is a one-off incident. I don’t get the feeling that the residents are fearful. This is not a community that is plagued with violence, [whether] gang violence or reprisal,” the resident said.

The resident, who was not at home when the incident took place, said when he got home one of the men was found in a car while the other was found under a tree with gunshot wounds. The third man was found in a neighbouring community.

The constabulary’s Corporate Communications Unit reported Thursday that about 9:15 pm Wednesday, the licensed firearm holder drove onto the premises when he was attacked by the three armed men who opened fire hitting him.

The licensed firearm holder returned gunfire and the assailants were shot.

The police were alerted and all four individuals were taken to hospital where the gunmen were pronounced dead and the licensed firearm holder admitted in serious condition.

A Berretta 9mm pistol with a magazine containing 17 rounds of ammunition was seized after the incident.

The dead gunmen have been identified as

* Isha Tomblin, 30, of Daniel Circle, Portmore. According to checks by the St Catherine South Criminal Investigations Branch, Tomblin was charged for the December 2009 murder of Leroy Beckford and was reporting on condition of bail at the time of his death.

* Damion Noyon, 31, a mechanic of McArthur Avenue, Kingston 3; and

* Marvin McPherson, 28, of Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, and also of Clarendon.

— Racquel Porter