Seven Killed, 10 Hurt in Surge of Gang Violence

Seven people have died and 10 have been injured in gang violence in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, in the last five days.

Unlike other gang battles that have pitted rival groups divided along political lines, the recent clashes involve two gangs located in areas dominated by the ruling People’s National Party.

Police said the battle was sparked when a store was broken into by men from the Tel Aviv neighborhood. The break-in angered a gang from another area that had been paid to protect the store. Property-protection rackets are big business in Kingston. Police say the practice is worth $9 million a year.