Jamaican police investigating drive-by shooting that kills three

Police are investigating a drive-by shooting that left three dead and three others injured in Jamaica's capital city Kingston on Tuesday.

The victims were playing dominoes when gunmen stormed in and started shooting. Three were shot dead on the spot. The other three wounded were sent to hospital and are in a critical condition, said the police.

The criminals wanted to create mayhem, Commissioner of Police Carl Williams said, adding that his team will catch up with the perpetrators.

"It is distressing. It is shocking because this area has been very quiet for over two years ... We are now gathering information and we are confident that we will catch them," he said.

Preliminary investigation indicated the shooting was related to gang feuds that have been monitored by the police, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Terrence Bent.

Residents in several communities tried to shield the perpetrators, which undermined police efforts in fighting gang crime, he said.

"The police will have to take actions so that the law-abiding residents, the good people in these communities, can be protected," he said.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Eolan Powell described the situation as unfortunate.

Jamaica has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. With a population of less than three million, the country recorded 1,207 murders last year, up nearly 20 percent year-on-year, according to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The police have blamed the rocketing murder cases to escalating gang activities, especially intra- and inter-gang feuds in rural areas. Endi