PORUS, Manchester — Residents in this south-central parish are worried that a spate of crime, including a double murder Tuesday night, has cast a dark cloud over Porus and is raising panic among citizens.

Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus Division) said she is worried that Christmas will be sad in the usually peaceful area.

“Stay home and don’t go on the street if you don’t have to, because right now I am [seeing] a sad Christmas for the Porus Division and its environs. I hope it doesn’t impact it in a big way; I am going to encourage them to go out as early as possible and get their business done,” she said on Wednesday.

A day earlier, Sashagaye Chambers, otherwise called Chin, 27, and a man identified only as “Stevie” were gunned down about 7:35 pm at a bar operated by the Chambers in Porus. Another man was shot and injured outside the bar and remains hospitalised. Police said a suspect identified only by his alias, Bagalas, who reportedly challenged them in a running gun battle, was fatally shot in the adjoining community of Ramble. Police said they are searching for an accomplice who escaped on a motorcycle.

Morant-Baker said Tuesday’s incident follows recent murders and shootings in Porus and has left herself and residents living in fear.

“The concern is genuine because it is happening in broad daylight, so I just want to encourage persons please try and be safe. I was near to the location, and with what has been happening for the past couple of months, it is a serious concern to residents,” she said.

“I am very concerned and hope that this will come to an end and that persons will take responsibility and stop this foolishness that is going on and taking people’s lives, many times innocent people,” she added.

At the same time, Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield Division) said that an ongoing feud between neighbouring communities in Porus is causing fear among residents.

“The little playground has become a battlefield and the little playground is Manchester. I am surprised and devastated at the recent flare-up of violence in Porus and other sections of Manchester. This is something that is very concerning to us as leaders across Manchester,” he said.

“We want to ensure that the police will do every single thing in their power to ensure that the people of Manchester have a peaceful Christmas… Porus has seen a flare-up of violence in recent times,” he added.

A relative of the bar operator told the Jamaica Observer that her family is puzzled and questioned what could be a motive for the attack.

“I was home when I got a call that Chin got shot. We don’t know what caused it. I don’t know of her and anyone being involved in anything,” said the relative.

A senior police source said detectives are probing allegations that the suspect had confronted Chambers at the bar during the day on Tuesday. Reliable source also told the Observer that Chambers and her suspected killer are cousins.

During a visit to Porus on Wednesday, some residents and police personnel, who all opted to remain anonymous, said the criminals have instilled fear in Porus and adjoining areas.

“People are whispering and worried about reprisals,” said a police source.

Police have since maintained a strong presence and patrols in Porus.

Head of the Manchester police, Deputy Superintendent Carey Duncan, told the Manchester Chamber of Commerce recently that Porus has been on the police’s radar as a crime hot spot.

“In recent times we are seeing the challenge that we are having in Porus – Trinity and Redberry – in particular… Porus is a concern to us. The issues we are having we refer to them as interpersonal, among persons who have conflicts with each other. For most of the murders that we are seeing in the parish none is actually connected to other offences… that is why we refer to them as interpersonal,” Duncan said last month.

Official figures from the police show 47 murders in Manchester up to November 30, an almost 14 per cent increase over the 41 recorded for the same period last year. The parish has also recorded 41 shootings, almost 14 per cent above last year.

Tuesday’s incident increased the number of murders in Manchester to 49 since the start of the year.

DSP Duncan also told the business community that lottery scamming and overseas players were fuelling violence in Manchester.

“These murders occur where we have persons who were once friends having their differences and disputes emanating from the lottery scamming activities. They are not even on our shores, but from where they are they are influencing a lot of things within the space,” he said.

“We would not want to classify it really as a gang activity. These are persons who were once in the same yard having the dumpling out of the same pot, but because of the spoils from lottery scamming activities we have the breakaway of the issues surrounding them,” he added.

Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker (Jamaica Labour Party, Porus Division) speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

MITCHELL… I am surprised and devastated at the recent flareup of violence in Porus and other sections of Manchester

DUNCAN… in recent times we are seeing the challenge that we are having in Porus – Trinity and Redberry – in particular Porus is a concern to us (Kasey Williams)

An undated photo of a suspect identified only by his alias Bagalas, who reportedly challenged the police in a gun battle and was fatally shot in the community of Ramble, near Porus, shortly after the double murder.

An undated photo of murder victim Sashagaye Chambers, otherwise called Chin.