The possible release of Eldon Calvert, the man who is reputed to be the leader of the Stone Crusher gang, has reportedly caused tension in the Salt Spring community of St James, leaving residents fearing a bloody war.

So thick is the tension in the area that soldiers and police have been placed there to prevent any impending bloodshed.

Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that some men in a section of the community are not happy with Calvert's impending return and are prepared not to let him back in to "run the place". Calvert was captured in Trelawny in January 2008 after he was listed among the country's most wanted men.

Last week, it was discovered in court that Detective Sergeant Michael Sirjue had fabricated statements in a murder case for which Calvert was on trial. Following the revelation, Calvert, his brother Gleason and Michael Heron were freed of the murder charge.

Sirjue has since reportedly fled the island for the United States and is being sought with the help of the overseas authorities. Director of Public Prosecution, Paula Llewellyn, has ruled that he must be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and forgery.

Calvert and Heron, who are facing another murder charge, were remanded in custody and Senior Puisne judge Gloria Smith is to decide on February 28, if bail will be granted on that charge.

But when the news broke that the men were freed because of the fabricated evidence last week, some men from Salt Spring, apparently believing Calvert had been released from custody, took it upon themselves to take steps to prevent his return to the community.

Residents said the men decided to start killing persons from the section of the community where Calvert is known to hang out. This, they say, is what resulted in the killing of a resident Rodell Hall in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Police had reported that about 2 a.m., Hall was travelling in a taxi with others when the vehicle was stopped by gunmen and he was shot, stabbed, beaten and killed. Police who were in the community challenged the gunmen who fled during a shoot-out.

Residents said the gunmen, believing Calvert was in the comm-unity, and was probably celebrating his release, were reportedly on their way to "spoil the party" and to get rid of anyone they saw.

The residents say it was while on their sojourn they encountered the taxi with Hall heading to that location. They reportedly stopped it and took everyone out promising a multiple murder. The residents said Hall, fearing for his life, ran and was chased and killed by the gunmen. This gave the other persons who were in the cab, including at least one child, time to flee and escape.

The residents said retaliation has been promised for Hall's death and they now expect the tension to rise in the community. They are hoping that the police and soldiers will stay for a while to prevent anymore bloodshed.

The Montego Bay police confirmed the security forces presence because of the tension in the community, but told THE WEEKEND STAR they are doing further investigations into Hall's death.