ST MARY, Jamaica — The sleepy seaside community of Robin’s Bay was gripped by shock on Thursday as residents struggled to comprehend a brazen daylight attack that left three local men dead.

The victims have been identified as 60-year-old shop operator Marlon James, 42-year-old mason Peter Hohn Fagan and Sazaree Clarke — all residents of the St Mary community located near Islington and Port Maria.

James was reportedly shot seven times during Wednesday afternoon’s deadly assault.

“This shake up everybody big time,” one resident said as the scale of the tragedy began to sink in.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s communications arm, gunmen travelling in a motor vehicle entered James’ bar at approximately 1:40 pm and opened fire on the shopkeeper and a patron inside.

A third man standing outside the establishment was also shot as the attackers fled.

The three wounded men were rushed to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

One source claimed that a waiting vehicle collected at least one of the assailants after the shooting and that its registration plate had been concealed.

“After the shooting, a car picked up the individual and the licence plate was covered, so it’s like a hit,” the source alleged.

Police have not confirmed that the killings were a contract-style attack, and no motive has yet been established.

The gunmen reportedly escaped from the area following the shooting.

Detectives attached to the Major Investigation Division (MID) are leading the hunt for the killers as the shaken community mourns three of its own.