A family in Steer Town, St Ann has been forced to leave their community in fear for their lives following a deadly attack by gunmen, leaving one of its members dead and the other critical in hospital.
About 7 o’clock, Wednesday, November 12, a usual evening at a bar in Steer Town, near Drax Hall, turned bloody after a group of men entered the establishment and shot two women, killing one and seriously wounding the other. Dead is 24-year-old Anieka Morgan otherwise called ‘Neka’. The other woman has been hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Both women are reportedly related.
Reports are that the women were sitting at the bar with a male companion when a group of masked, armed men entered and opened fire on the two. Morgan was shot three times. The men escaped on foot. Morgan was pronounced dead at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital, about four miles away.
SECOND ATTACK
The St Ann police have beefed up surveillance in the community since the incident. The police say however, that up to Monday, no one has been taken into custody in connection with the killing and no suspects have been identified. In addition, no motive has yet been established for the killing.
It is reported that the family has migrated from the area, after expressing fear for their lives. It is alleged that this is the second gun attack on that family. The North Coast Times understands that the family’s house was sprayed with bullets some three weeks ago. No one was hurt in that incident. However, it is not yet clear why the family was again targeted. Family members and residents remain tight lipped on the incidents.
Anieka Morgan who is a trained masseuse has a six-year-old son. Her boyfriend and son’s father Garth Watkis says it is hard to cope with the loss of Anieka. He says they have been together for 10 years. “Right now, mi can’t explain how the family feel. Neka wouldn’t even kill a mosquito. She just jovial and bring happiness to everybody and make everyone laugh,” he said.
Several reports have emerged indicating motive and some suggesting that the attack had nothing to do with the women. One source, familiar with events in Steer Town said the attack on the bar and the two women did not come as a surprise. According to reports, another bar facing the one shot up last week, at the bridge at the western exit from Steer Town was the scene of a police operation weeks ago. This followed the reported arrest of a man said to be connected to an ex-policeman.
The two bars were very popular with truck drivers using the Chalky Hill by pass of Ocho Rios.
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