Paul’s Lot the scene of three shootings over Christmas holiday

The community of Paul’s Lot was the scene of three shootings between December 23 and December 26, one resulting in a death.

The Boxing day celebrations, for some, were interrupted when a lone gunman chased Ottley Hall resident, Mikhail Charles and shot him at least three times.

Reports are that Charles was walking with his girlfriend in the area on December 26, between the Banfield Service Station and the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) building in Paul’s Avenue when he was accosted by his assassin.

One of the cars that was hit by gun fire in Paul’s Lot where the shootings took place

Charles ran but he was not quick enough and died around the same area where two men were shot on Friday, December 23.

On Wednesday, December 28, SEARCHLIGHT visited Charles’s home in Ottley Hall, but his father refused to comment then on the shooting; he however said he may see it fit to do so in the future.

The so far unidentified assailant who murdered Charles was responsible for pushing this country’s murder rate to 42, the highest in its history.

Also in Paul’s Lot, on Friday, December 23, two men were injured during a shooting incident outside a bar.

At around 8:52 p.m, residents heard automatic gunfire and when the noise died down, two men had been shot and were taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), for treatment of their gunshot wounds.

Reports are that a white Nissan Tiida was seen circling the area, and on the second pass through, a resident placed a bench in the road to block the vehicle, after which a gunman emerged from the car and opened fire.

A second gunman, according to reports, is said to have also got out of the vehicle, and he too opened fire as persons fled the scene.

Shot were Pauls Lot residents, Jawanza ‘Sanga’ Fraser, and Omo ‘Wally’ Simmons.

A third man, who was not shot, is said to have been found unconscious when the melee died down.

Bullet holes were found in walls and at least one vehicle, while the Tiida struck a parked car on its way out of the community.

Fraser was hit on the right side of his chest by shrapnel while Simmons was hit in his left foot; the bullet reportedly breaking several bones.

Police said they are investigating and the men are recovering.

On October 15, 2017, Fraser was shot in similar circumstances when a car pulled up and a lone gunman opened fire on him, striking him about five times.

Collin ‘Cocoa’ David, a Long Wall/Glen resident; Ricardo ‘Shrek’ McFee, of Largo Height; and Jomarno ‘Small Man’ Tash, of Rockies/Villa, were charged with attempted murder in connection with that shooting but were later freed when Fraser did not turn up for the trial.