Too close for comfort - Gunmen open fire on Desmond McKenzie's bodyguards downtown

 Livern Barret, Gleaner Writer

Opposition legislator Desmond McKenzie was left rattled yesterday after the violence plaguing his west Kingston constituency in recent weeks came too close for comfort.

This time, instead of shooting at unarmed residents, the police say three gunmen opened fire on McKenzie's bodyguards as they waited for him at a funeral home on North Street in downtown Kingston.

Ironically, McKenzie was at the funeral home to help with funeral arrangements for 12-year-old Kawayne McAnuff, one of the two persons killed when gunmen opened fire on residents at the corner of Charles Street and Chestnut Lane just over a week ago.

"It is a very uncomfortable moment right now. There's just a lot of uncertainty," a subdued McKenzie told The Gleaner minutes after the attack.

The incident also brought into sharp focus, for McKenzie, the plight of his constituents, who have seen a spike in murders and other serious crimes.

"If members of the security forces can be subjected to this, my concern is [for] the wider west Kingston - the people who are not fortunate to have that level of security," he said.

TIME FOR REFLECTION

"It is a time for reflection. We are trying our best to ensure that the area has some semblance of peace, and if there are elements that are opposed to that, then it's just rather unfortunate," he continued.

McKenzie, who has openly challenged residents across his west Kingston constituency to stop protecting criminals, would not speculate on a motive for the attack.

The lawmaker said he would await the outcome of the police investigations.

According to McKenzie, one of the gunmen was injured in the incident and the police say a Beretta 9mm pistol with 16 rounds was seized.

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington praised the members of McKenzie's security detail, saying he was "relieved that law-abiding citizens were not injured".