Speaking on behalf of the Black Village community, self proclaimed neighbourhood leader Rodney Moncur said residents in the area are sick and tired of looking over their shoulders after several bouts of shooting over the past two weeks.
During that time two men were shot and 23-year-old Hosea Lightbourne was gunned down a few days later. Mr Moncur now claims that Black Village residents believe they are walking targets for their rivals.
“It cannot be fair that if someone killed Hosea Lightbourne his friends should now attempt to hold an entire community hostage and lead an incursion into the community and open fire,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday. “Now the police need to step in and I am publicly declaring that we need police presence in Black Village.” However, police officials told the Nassau Guardian yesterday that they had received no reports from residents concerning the alleged rival.
The Black Village/Bain Town row was believed to be sparked by revenge and unfolded after a late night party.
According to reports, on August 27 in the Stapledon Gardens area, police were summoned to the scene where two men had been shot. One of the victims was Black Village resident Tevare Dorsett, who is believed to have been singled out by the gunman.
Then, on September 2, Lightbourne, a resident of Bain Town, was gunned down in a drive by shooting in his neighbourhood.
His death was reportedly payback for the Stapledon Gardens shooting.
Since those incidents residents in both communities said a war has been brewing.
“A mother informed me that she has been advised that people in Bain Town have threatened that before Hosea’s funeral someone in Black Village must die,” Mr Moncur said. “I’m appealing to the friends and family of Hosea Lightbourne to use whatever influence that they have to bring peace to this situation and let the police do its job. The people in Black Village are afraid, that’s why I’m standing here alone.”
According to Mr Moncur, for the past three days “mysterious” cars have been driving through Black Village and letting off gunshots in random areas.
Even up to yesterday, at about 1pm, a car drove through the area and opened fire on a house, he claimed.
The residents in the area are “reluctant” to report any incidents to the police as they are in serious fear for their lives, said Mr Moncur.
However, press liaison officer Inspector Walter Evans said these matters must be reported to the police.
“In addition to the ongoing patrol in the area, the officers need to give it a little more watchful eye but it’s fruitless to see or hear shots being fired in an area and not give the police information,” Inspector Evans told the Guardian.
In the meantime, he added, officers have since upped their surveillance and patrol in the areas.
A press conference is scheduled to be held today by members of the Bain Town clergy regarding the September 2 shooting death of Mr Lightbourne.
The Nassau Guardian
