Whereas some residents gave the usual muted response expected of an area cowering in fear, at least one elderly man spoke openly to The WEEKEND STAR commenting on crimes attributed to the men who were found guilty of shooting at members of the St Catherine South Fugitive Apprehension Team in June 2009 and are to be sentenced on June 3.

"Thank God dem nuh come back. If dem man deh come back, killing start all over again," he said, openly defying others who were suggesting that he minds his own business.

The senior citizen, who resides in one of the many lanes which run through the Newland and Naggo Head areas like tiny veins, responded, "Unnno nuh si seh all ole people dem man deh kill, suh mi nuh sorry fi dem."

Among the gang's victims was a 95-year-old woman who was burnt to death in her house in Portmore Lane as the outlaws sought to make their hands felt in the community.

Senior Superintendent Colin Pinnock yesterday said the men's conviction was a significant breakthrough for his division which has worked tirelessly in pursuit of Umbrella gang members, said to be responsible for more than 30 murders and other major crimes.

"It is significant because they are in the top tier of the gang. When you get rid of those from the community, it sends a message to the other gangsters that top tier members also go to prison." he said. "It's a gang that has been around quite a few years. A significant number of members are in custody on various charges. This gang is involved in extortion, murder and shootings in the Newland-Naggo Head area of Portmore. This is not a joke gang, it's a serious gang."

no evidence

McPherson and Samuels were among four men charged for the incident and appeared before Justice Sarah Thompson-James. The other two were freed as the Crown, whose case was marshalled by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jeremy Taylor, had no evidence that they had shot at the police on the night of June 12.

Two police personnel involved in the shoot-out, Sergeant Rodney Matthews and District Constable Jason McKay, testified that they were part of a specially trained unit sent into Newland, on foot, to locate heavily armed men in the volatile area, the hub of gangland activities in Portmore.

After spotting their intended targets, Matthews and McKay radioed for reinforcement and, while doing so, were discovered by men who took them on in a gunfight.

The lawmen testified that they had to shoot their way out of the area. Samuels was held during a search whereas McPherson was found holed up in the Hunts Bay region months later.