Violence again erupted in Spanish Town last night when two women were shot and killed in what residents say is an attempt by one gang to start a feud in the old capital again.

The residents say the threat of violence came to fruition after members of the Clansman gang allegedly put their words into action against long standing rivals, the One Order gang. A woman and her sister were slain at the Spanish Town Market last night.

A high-ranking member of the One Order gang claims that the women were 'soft targets' in an ongoing attempt to re-engage the recently dominant gang in warfare.

"This is something we told them to look out for as Clansman dem a crumble under them own ignorance, and dem a look fi we get up and start shoot dem too. Dem shot up a bar on Cumberland Road wah day, and now them kill Pinky, the baby mother a di man weh set up fi control that side, and her sister Nadine ... Two innocent women weh a hustle an a sell to feed them kids and send dem go school," said the obviously irate One Order member.

The police have identified those killed as Heather Cassanova, 33-year-old higgler, and 27-year-old Tamara 'Pinky' Reddy, both of Tawes Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Police reports are that about 6:35 p.m., the sisters were doing business along the road when two men walked up, brandished handguns and fired, hitting them in their faces and upper bodies. A male bystander was also shot and injured. Reddy died at the hospital while her sister died on the spot.

tension

A number of businesses closed their doors earlier than usual due to the tension which prevailed over sections of the Old Capital shortly after the shooting.

An obviously upset family member of the deceased sisters made a passionate plea to the police force for protection as they brace for further attacks.

"We are begging the police to help us ... we know dem might see we as One Order people because of where we come from, but right now the man dem (One Order) say them not goin retaliate fi defend we, so wi a beg the police to put past aside and remember we a human ... look how dem kill aff mi family ... "the family member broke off, resuming her quite vocal mourning.

When contacted, a Clansman gang member vehemently denied their involvement. "That a lie, dem man a use psyches fi get we out ..."

Another high-ranking member of the One Order gang, who spoke on behalf of their leader, reiterated, "The boss nah get draw out, we a do different tings ya now, some man gone ina dem church, an some a do dem music".

crackdown

Since the recent crackdown by the police, there has been a spate of reports of former gang members from both sides turning their lives over to religion.

Meanwhile, after the shooting last night, a heavy detachment of military and police personnel were seen combing sections of Spanish Town as they hunted for the shooters.

Operation officer for St Catherine North Division, Superintendent Victor Hamilton, said the shooting is believed to be a reprisal.