WHAT had been hailed by Member of Parliament of Kingston Central Donovan Williams as an “era of peace” for the residents of Text Lane in his constituency came to an abrupt end Tuesday night when criminals turned their guns on mainly women and children who were relaxing in the area.

Williams, who visited the scene Wednesday morning to provide support to the affected families, expressed deep distress over the attack which left six people injured, including two small children and a teenager with special needs.

It was the second such incident in a week, after Sunday’s mass shooting in Commodore, Linstead, St Catherine when armed men, posing as police, attacked a family yard, leaving nine people shot, five of them fatally, including a four-year-old child.

Williams told the Jamaica Observer Wednesday that while the Text Lane community was no stranger to crime, it had been healing over the past year.

“It’s a tragic morning, and it is surprising because this community has been experiencing a period of peace and calm…We have had a persistent run of calmness, significant reduction in violent crimes. Even the residents will tell you that they are surprised at this, because no one knows where this is coming from,” said Williams.

According to police reports, about 8:45 pm Tuesday, people were gathered on the outside of a premises when a motor car drove towards them. Criminals in the vehicle then opened gunfire on the group before driving away.

“I’m here, I’m meeting with the families and relatives, some of the victims are still in hospital recovering, some serious. So we have to provide support and monitor the situation and pray and hope that they make it through. But I can’t fathom this. It’s just inexplicable, all children — that is terrorism,” said Williams as he sought to console the families of the victims.

Among those most shaken by the attack was the father of two of the wounded minors.

He told the Observer that he was not at home when the shooting occurred, but had received an alarming call from his partner who told him that his daughter and stepson had been shot and injured.

“I was on my way in, it was when mi reach downtown mi get the call. I couldn’t even hear clearly what my babymother was saying; all she did a do was cry,” he said shaking his head in apparent disbelief.

The hurting father shared that his stepson had a disability which left him vulnerable to the attack as he would not have been able to escape the gunmen.

According to the father, whose name is being withheld, he is frustrated over the disregard for the lives of children who did not deserve to experience such a traumatic event.

“I’m upset. From you fire the first shot and you see that is bare baby a run up and down, dem should just go where them a go. If you realise it’s kids, weh you a shoot for? A child should never live to go through that,” he said.

He added that he was happy no lives had been lost, and indicated that his daughter — who was shot in the hand — and his stepson, who was shot in the shoulder and leg, were slated to undergo surgery.

Another resident who told the Observer that she saw some of what unravelled from inside her house, said she is now fearful and traumatised.

She said that after she heard the first four rounds of gunfire she rushed to her window to assess the situation.

“It was four guys. Three came out of the car and started firing at a woman, two young kids in maybe fourth and fifth grade, and then the disabled boy, who was sitting on a step,” she said.

According to the woman, she thought the community had moved past acts of violence, and she is now worried as the criminals did not show discretion towards women and children.

“The violence, the shootings, killings, it was a frequent thing between last year going way back. So the peace is now one year old, and then this happened. Everybody is tense, because there’s a lot of females around here, so we’re on the lookout. There’s also a lot of children here, so everyone is on edge right now. It’s pretty bad,” added the woman.

In the meantime, Williams told the Observer that while he understands that the police need time to complete their investigation, he hopes the criminals will be quickly apprehended as this would deliver justice to the families and the wider community.

“I know the police will do their work, they have to get on it and do their investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Kingston Central Donovan Williams in a pensive mood as he arrives in Text Lane in the constituency, where six people were shot by gunmen Tuesday night. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

A resident shows where a bullet entered the ground on Text Lane, where six people were shot Tuesday night. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Police at the section of Text Lane, Central Kingston, where gunmen shot at a group of mainly women and children Tuesday night. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)