The police and residents alike believed thugs used the aftermath of a police operation to carry out a drive-by shooting which left four men nursing gunshot wounds in Waterhouse, St Andrew, yesterday.

According to reports, sometime about 11 a.m. a car with at least five men aboard drove to Balcombe Drive in the community where they opened fire, hitting the four men.

The police say the attack followed the seizure of a 9mm pistol, a Remmington shotgun and a quantity of ammunition at the intersection of Balcombe Drive and Olympic Way. A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with the seizure.

attack

It is being theorised that the culprits then used the opportunity to carry out the attack.

"Yea see cause di police dem come do dem operation and dem know nuh man naw go too expect dat, dem jus come shoot up di place ... Mi stand up and see everything, di man dem jus push dem gun through di window and a fire pure wild shot," an alleged eyewitness told THE STAR.

rival gangs

Similarly, police sources from the St Andrew south police believe this was the case.

"It is something we're looking into and it's a definite possibility," one source, a detective corporal said.

THE STAR learnt that in recent weeks rival gangs from the area have been at odds with each other.

Asked about a possible cause to the rift, residents say it is a turf war and one which has been going on for many years.

"A long time ting dem a start up back again eno, dem jus nuh have nuttin fi do," a 26-year-old female resident said.

Meanwhile, the police say they will be maintaining a presence in the area as they work to restore normality there.