Residents of Denham Town in west Kingston accused the police of murder after six persons were shot and killed in the community yesterday.

"Murderer, murderer ... Unu a gwaan like seh oonu a no human being to," one woman shouted as residents vented their anger at police personnel who were securing the crime scene.

The residents were protesting after police reportedly shot and killed six persons including a 13-year-old and an elderly man who were shot dead in what the police called a 'running and intense gun battle involving the police and criminals.'

The teenager was identified by her weeping mother as Nicketa Cameron, while the elderly man was identified only as 'Mr George', both of Chestnut Lane.The other victims were still unidentified up to press time last night, but police sources revealed that two of them, who are known by their aliases 'Tete Rass' and 'Kiro', were wanted for questioning for various crimes.

However, residents gave a different account.

A woman who claimed to have witnessed the shooting said she saw two unmarked police cars approached a house along Chestnut Lane. She alleged that Tete Rass was getting his hair braided in the house when he got a call from a private number, and was told to collect some money outside. He reportedly went outside and encountered a group of police personnel.

"The police dem come outta di car, kick off di gate and just open fire," she told The Star on condition of anonymity.

small crowd

As news of the killings spread, a small crowd converged at the Kingston Public Hospital and the adjoining Madden's Funeral Home as anguished relatives and friends sought to verify the identities of those killed.

One woman broke down in tears outside Madden's Funeral Home after learning that the father of her infant child was among those killed.

"Wha me ago tell me daughter when she ask fi har father," she wailed.

Late yesterday, Director of Communications for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Karl Angell, said the six persons were killed during a 'running and intense gun battle involving the police and criminals.'

In a statement issued last night, Angell said when the shooting ended four weapons - a AK-47 assault rifle, a .357 revolver, a 9mm pistol and a .22 pistol, were recovered.

"The police believe that three of the five males who were killed are wanted for various crimes in the Kingston Western and Kingston Central divisions, including murder and shooting with intent," he said.

Added Angell :"The other three persons, including the lone female, are believed to have been killed during the course of the gun battle. The police also said that Tete Rass was reportedly one of the major players in the extortion racket in the downtown Kingston market district.

The police later imposed a curfew in the Denham Town community. It ends tomrrow.

The matter has been reported to the Bureau of Special Investigations and the Independent Commission of Investgations.