Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A case of mistaken identity. Thats what residents of Central Village, St Catherine, said led to the death of a man who was shot in the area on Saturday.

The deceased, Kemar Lyttle, a 23-year-old labourer from Little Lane in the community, was attacked and shot dead by a gunmen, who reportedly fled after he was accosted by residents after the shooting.

Reports are that about 6:30 p.m., Lyttle was standing on a bridge in the community when a man reportedly approached him from nearby bushes, brandished a handgun and shot him. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Residents told THE STAR that the attack was ordered by a don from the area who is abroad. They said the don had ordered the death of one of his former 'soldiers' who had fallen out of grace with him and his thugs, and decided to stay away from a life of crime.

The residents said the gunman was ordered to go to a section of the community and kill a man wearing a purple shirt. The target, it is understood, was near where Lyttle, who was also wearing a purple shirt, was standing.

The gunman, not knowing the man he was sent to kill, but seeing Lyttle in a purple shirt, pulled a firearm, shot him and fled with some residents in pursuit. He managed to escape. THE STAR understands that the man who was the target, was among those residents who chased the gunman.

Late yesterday a police source confirmed that their investigations have discovered the shooting to be a case of mistaken identity. The source said the police have doubled their presence in the community.

Immediately after the killing police personnel blanketed the community and conducted several operations.

The residents say a tense calm now hangs over the community, as they do not know if the gunman will return for his intended target, or if men from the area will retaliate for the killing.