Jamaica handguns, rifles and bullets that stoke one of the world's highest murder rates.

Handguns, rifles and bullets that stoke one of the world's highest murder rates.
The volume is much less than the flow of U.S. guns into Mexico that end up in the hands of drug cartels -- Jamaican authorities recover fewer than 1,000 firearms a year. But of those whose origin can be traced, 80 percent come from the U.S., Jamaican law enforcement officials have said in interviews with The Associated Press.
And as the Obama administration cracks down on smuggling into Mexico, Jamaicans fear even more firearms will reach the gangs whose turf wars plague the island of 2.8 million people.''It's going to push a lot of that trade back toward the Caribbean like it was back in the '80s,'' said Vance Callender, an attache at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).U.S. authorities are beginning to target the Jamaican gun-smuggling network as part of a broad effort to boost security in the Caribbean.But they have a long way to go. Jamaican authorities have confiscated only 100 guns coming into ports in the last five years, along with 6,000 rounds of ammunition. That in turn is just a fraction of the 700 or so weapons confiscated on the streets each year.Authorities know they're only seeing ''the tip of the iceberg,'' said Mark Shields, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner.With arsenals to rival police firepower, the gangs are blamed for 90 percent of the homicides in Jamaica -- 1,611 last year, about 10 times more than the U.S. rate, relative to population.Unlike in Mexico, the vast majority of Jamaican guns seized are submitted for tracing. Jamaica and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives find most of the seized weapons come from three Florida counties -- Orange, Dade and Broward -- all with large Jamaican populations, according to Shields.X-ray scanners were installed two years ago at Jamaican ports, but the gangs use bribery and intimidation to get their shipments past inspectors.In April, a newly hired customs supervisor had his tires slashed and days later was shot at on his way home from work, authorities say. The man was known for his strict scrutiny of cargo coming into a gang-infiltrated warehouse on the Kingston wharf.When the gangs apply pressure, ''no one says no,'' said Danville Walker, Jamaica's commissioner of customs.

Darren John Bridgeman, 37, from Malvern, Worcestershire sentenced to life in prison by a judge in Florida.

Darren John Bridgeman, 37, from Malvern, Worcestershire sentenced to life in prison by a judge in Florida.In June 2006, Darren John Bridgeman, 37, from Malvern, Worcestershire, killed Tracy Bennawit, 33, because he discovered that she had a new boyfriend. He then fled back to the UK and tried to join the French Foreign Legion to avoid being caught.Bridgeman, who said Bennawit "threw me out like garbage" when their relationship turned sour, eventually gave himself up after a manhunt across Europe. He was extradited to the US, where a jury took less than six hours to convict him of murder on Friday night after a week-long trial."It's the verdict he deserved," said Adam Strickland, Bennawit's boyfriend, who was shot in the chest and seriously wounded in the ambush. Bennawit's son, Caelin, 14, witnessed the attack but was not hurt.Lawyers for Bridgeman, who was also Bennawit's business partner in a failed video game shop, argued unsuccessfully that their client was guilty only of manslaughter because he acted in the heat of passion.

Oscar Segura, 23, of Santa Ana.shot to death Thursday afternoon

A man shot to death Thursday afternoon was identified today by police as Oscar Segura, 23, of Santa Ana.Police were called to South Standard Avenue and Beverly Place just before 3:30 p.m. with reports of a person shot. They didn't find anyone at that corner, but did find a wounded man in the 800 block of East Normandy Place, a block to the south.Segura was taken to Western Medical Center, where he died around 45 minutes later.Police are investigating the shooting as a gang-related attack.Norma Prado, who is Segura’s cousin once removed, said that Segura was going to the store to get ready to watch the Los Angeles Lakers game with friends and his uncle when he was hit by a bullet.One of the shots hit his liver and then pierced his heart, Prado said. “He was always very loving, a very likable person,” Prado said. “I don't think he had any enemies that I knew of.”“At the hospital, the doctors did everything they could, but he had lost a lot of blood and nothing could be done for him,” Prado said. “All I can say about him is that he was a wonderful person – never was disrespectful to any one of us, very polite.”Segura’s neighbor Amanda Gallegos was shocked to hear the news. She used to say hi when she’d see Segura taking a walk with his daughter.Segura was known for helping out senior citizens in the neighborhood, she said.“Everybody really liked him,” Gallegos said. “He’s not a person I’d say was in a gang. He wasn’t full of tattoos, and you’d never see him with that type of crowd. He was very helping to the neighborhood and never expected anything in return.”

17-year old suspect in the shooting deaths of two men during a running gun battle on Interstate 75 in March was arrested today

17-year old suspect in the shooting deaths of two men during a running gun battle on Interstate 75 in March was arrested today, Evendale police said.Details on where the teen was taken into custody were not immediately available. The teen's name has not been released by authorities. He lives in Springdale.The shootings occurred after a dispute early March 18 in Garage Sports Bar & Grill in Sharonville. The argument continued on the highway. Evendale police have said the teen was nearby and became involved in the highway chase and shootings.Two 25-year-old Westwood men, Keith Cobb and Scott Neblett Jr., were found dead inside a Chevrolet Blazer that had been riddled with bullets. Both had extensive criminal records, mostly involving drug offenses.The SUV flipped twice and landed upright. Marijuana and a 9 mm gun were found inside.When Evendale police announced charges against the teen last month, they said another arrest was expected. It was not clear today if that second suspect has been caught.

victim has not been named 28-year-old man with gunshot wounds who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were called to Fulham Court, a block of flats on Fulham Road, Fulham, at around 7pm on Thursday night after reports of shots being fired.Armed police and ambulance crews found a 28-year-old man with gunshot wounds who was pronounced dead at the scene.No arrests have been made in connection with the death.
The victim has not been named.

Jamaican hitman has been brought to T&T to assassinate head of the North Eastern Divisional Task Force Sgt Roger Alexander.

Jamaican hitman has been brought to T&T to assassinate head of the North Eastern Divisional Task Force Sgt Roger Alexander. Members of the Special Anti-Crime Unit (Sautt) and officers of the Repeat Offenders Programme (Rope) reportedly unearthed the plot. Yesterday, Alexander confirmed that he had been informed of the plot and a report has been submitted to acting Police Commissioner James Philbert and head of the North Eastern Division Senior Supt Theophilus Cummings.Police sources said they received information last Friday that a prime suspect, implicated in the killing of Sean “Bill” Francis, was responsible for hiring the hitman. Investigating officers believe the hitman had been hiding out somewhere in Laventille Road, San Juan. Police were up to late yesterday searching for him. Investigators said the plot was unearthed after the Morvant Police Station was flooded with calls regarding the Jamaican national. The callers, police said, warned that a “hefty” price had been put on Alexander’s head.“The calls became more and more disturbing...They described how Alexander would be killed and it was definitely not something we could have ignored,” one investigator said. He said lawmen were also told that police officers in Jamaica were “dealt with differently.” Alexander, who worked at the then Organised Crime, Narcotics Unit (OCNU) has been instrumental in the arrest of several murder suspects within the North Eastern Division. Last Friday, Alexander and his team of officers recovered the gun which they believed had been used in the killing of Francis’ 25-year-old nephew Nathaniel. The younger Francis, of Vegas in Morvant, went on a robbery with another man at Cipriani Avenue, Morvant, but was instead confronted by irate villagers and shot and killed with his own gun.
There had been several attempts in the past by unknown people to kill Alexander. In one instance black magic was used to issue a warning. Alexander’s name was written in blood on a piece of paper which was tied to rotting chicken feet and nailed to a utility pole in Morvant. But the threats have had no impact on Alexander. “At the end of the day, the work must go on and I am definitely not afraid. I will continue to do my duty and continue to bring criminals to justice,” Alexander said.

Handgun, ammunition and cannabis were recovered in the 5am raid at an address in Olympic Close

Police in Luton have arrested four people after a dawn raid as part of a crackdown on gun crime in the town. A handgun, ammunition and cannabis were recovered in the 5am raid at an address in Olympic Close and three men aged 19, 21 and 28 and a 19-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. All four are now being held at Luton Police Station for questioning. Leading the raid this morning, Det Chief Insp Irene Meehan, said: "Beds Police and the people of Bedfordshire will not tolerate gun crime. The success of this operation today is a credit to those members of the community who have shown bravery and given information that the police have been able to act upon. "I would encourage anyone with information about gun crime to either speak to the police or if they are not comfortable in doing this then they can contact Crimestoppers, completely anonymously, and be assured that all information received will be acted upon."

US Airways employee and passenger are being questioned after an unloaded handgun was discovered aboard a Phoenix-bound flight

US Airways employee and passenger are being questioned after an unloaded handgun was discovered aboard a Phoenix-bound flight originating in Philadelphia, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr. Souces say a passenger allegedly handed a bag containing the weapon to an airline employee, who bypassed the security screening before giving it back to the passenger, reports Orr. Ammunition was also found on the plane. Another passenger saw the suspicious hand-off and alerted authorities. The gun was found during a subsequent search of the plane. The flight taxied back to the gate and all the passengers were removed, reports Orr. Sources says the incident appears to be isolated and is not related to terrorism. Investigators do not believe the suspected passenger intended to use the gun on the flight but was simply trying to elude security in order to carry the weapon to Phoenix, reports Orr. The FBI, Transportation Security Administration and Philadelphia law enforcement are investigating the incident. No charges have been filed.

Ernesto Murillo, 26 Southern California gang member was sentenced to 110 years in prison for shooting a 6-year-old boy last year.

Southern California gang member was sentenced to 110 years in prison for shooting a 6-year-old boy last year.The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Ernesto Murillo, 26, pleaded guilty in March to three counts of attempted murder, five counts of assault with a firearm and one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle in connection with the shooting.Murillo also admitted he was a gang member, the newspaper said.Laverya Elzy was shot in the head. Five adults and two other children in the vehicle were not hurt in the incident. The (Torrence, Calif.) Daily Breeze reported that Lavareay attends school, and still has significant pain from the bullet that is still in his brain. "You can't ever erase what happened," Lavareay's mother, Trina Cooper, said. "I'll forgive him, but never forget," she said of Murillo.

Trinidad Cuecass, 20, of the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue, was shot on the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue

Trinidad Cuecass, 20, of the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue, was shot on the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue and died early Wednesday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The medical examiner’s office did not have a pronouncement time immediately. Cuecass was shot about 1 a.m. and was dead on the scene with a gunshot wound to the head after an unknown black man walked up behind him, shot him in the head and fled to a waiting black vehicle, according to a release from police News Affairs. No one was in custody and Calumet Area detectives are investigating the shooting, which appears gang related, according to the release.

Niranjan Das and Sant Rama Nand — underwent operations for gunshot wounds, but Nand died early Monday

Sikh preacher died Monday after being wounded in an attack on his temple by a group of fundamentalist Sikhs armed with knives and a handgun, police said. India's prime minister appealed for calm as riots protesting the deadly shooting spread to several northern Indian cities.Witnesses said the Vienna temple attended by lower-caste Sikhs had been attacked by fundamentalist Sikhs from a higher caste, who accused one or both of the preachers of being disrespectful of the religion's Holy Book.
The attack set off a brawl that wounded 16. It was not clear whether some of the weapons used were kirpans — ceremonial daggers that may legally be worn by Sikhs in Austria.Two preachers — identified by Indian diplomats as Niranjan Das and Sant Rama Nand — underwent operations for gunshot wounds, but Nand died early Monday, according to a police official who declined to identify himself on the telephone, in line with Austrian custom.

Australia woman's account of a late night shooting in Sydney has turned her into an Internet sensation with T-shirts, mugs and a dance remix made

Australia woman's account of a late night shooting in Sydney has turned her into an Internet sensation with T-shirts, mugs and a dance remix made in her honor but there's just one problem -- she made it up.Sydney woman Clare Werbeloff's dramatic account of a shooting, with her "chk chk boom" firing of a gun and imitation of the men involved, made her an overnight hit on video sharing website YouTube, prompting about 500,000 viewings.The 19-year-old has since received invitations to appear on various TV shows and even the offer of a bikini photo shoot.But the Australian media were left red-faced when the first task of Werbeloff's newly hired agent Adam Abrams was to admit his client did not actually witness the shooting, and told police that she made the story up for a TV camera on site.Abrams told Australian media that Werbeloff would not detail her reasons for fabricating the story but denied the video was an advertising setup. Werbeloff had gone into hiding after media camped outside her home.The 27-year-old victim of the shooting, Sydneysider Justin Kallu, was not amused as he nursed a wounded knee."I'm just a bit upset about the fact that I've been shot and that I almost lost my life and there's this girl all over the news getting popular, all because she has no brains," Kallu said in emailed comments to newspapers.

Man shot multiple times Saturday night in North Philadelphia.

Homicide detectives said yesterday they were investigating the death of a man who was shot multiple times Saturday night in North Philadelphia.The man, whom authorities did not identify, was shot about 8:30 p.m. at 20th and Susquehanna Streets. He was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he died at 6:02 a.m. yesterday.The death marked the 111th homicide in Philadelphia this year, police said.

Three men were shot in Tacoma late Friday after being confronted by another man

Three men were shot in Tacoma late Friday after being confronted by another man while walking along a street and are in stable condition in local hospitals, Tacoma police reported.Three men were arrested and jailed in connection with the shooting, police spokesman Mark Fulghum said Saturday.The shooting occurred around 11:20 p.m. Friday in South Tacoma along South 51st Street, between Pine and Junett streets.
Fulghum said the shooting appears to be gang-related but he would not say why police believe that’s so.The three men, all 21, were walking along South 51st Street when they were confronted by another man, Fulghum said. After a brief exchange, the man shot all three men – one to two times each in the torso – with a handgun, Fulghum said. About a half-dozen shots were fired.A vehicle then fled the scene. About 25 minutes later, Lakewood police stopped that vehicle at 92nd Street and South Tacoma Way. Tacoma police arrested three men who were in the vehicle, two 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old, on suspicion of first-degree assault. They were booked into Pierce County Jail. Police believe one of the three was the shooter, Fulghum said. Two of the shooting victims were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center and one was transported to Madigan Army Medical Center. Fulghum said the three are expected to survive.

19-year-old man was shot in the neck during what appears to be a gang-related attack

19-year-old man was shot in the neck during what appears to be a gang-related attack, police said.The shooting occurred at 8:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of West Neighbors Avenue, near Euclid Street and La Palma Avenue, said Anaheim police Sgt. Juan Reveles.Officers responding to the area regarding an assault with a deadly weapon didn't find the victim. He had been taken to a hospital by a female resident. The hospital called police regarding a shooting victim and he was taken to a trauma center, Reveles said.The victim's injuries were non-critical and his condition has stabilized, Reveles said.Police said the victim was walking on Neighbors Avenue when a vehicle pulled up and two men jumped out. The men approached him and one of them shot the victim in the neck as he was running away, Reveles said. The suspects are described as having shaved heads and wearing baggy clothing. A description of the vehicle was not immediately available, Reveles said.

Four men have been arrested after a home robbery in south Wichita left two victims with gunshot wounds

Four men have been arrested after a home robbery in south Wichita left two victims with gunshot wounds sometime after 1:30 a.m. today, police said.Police patrolling the area after receiving a report of shots overheard near Harry and Washington at about 1:42 a.m. heard more shots and then spotted a vehicle speeding from the area, Lt. Todd Ojile said.A brief chase ensued before four suspects bailed from the vehicle and were taken into custody near Ida and Zimmerly with the help of a Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office K-9 dog, Ojile said.At about the same time, a caller reported a shooting victim at 1450 S. Mosley. A 56-year-old man was hit by a bullet after he saw people taking property and yelled at them to get out of the neighborhood, Ojile said.As police were investigating the robbery, they learned that the resident of the house, a 20-year-old man, ran from the house after the robbers burst in. He was shot in the leg as he fled.Both men are expected to recover from their wounds, Ojile said.

Brooklyn man was in critical condition after he was shot several times in the chest during a morning fight inside a bodega

Brooklyn man was in critical condition after he was shot several times in the chest during a morning fight inside a bodega, police said.The victim got into an argument with another man inside the Church Avenue Grill in East Flatbush just before 9 a.m., police said. The disagreement soon became physical, and the two men began shoving each other inside the store, a bodega employee said. "Are you pressing me?" one man said to the other, the bodega worker recalled. That man then pulled out a handgun and fired several shots, hitting the victim in the chest. The bodega worker called 911, and paramedics rushed the bleeding man, who was not identified, to Kings County Hospital. The gunman ran from the store and remains at large. Investigators were not immediately certain if the men knew each other before their violent encounter, police said.

Steve Weber is suspected of fatally shooting his ex-wife, 47-year-old Francesca Weber, at her Fitchburg apartment last Saturday.

Dozens of federal and local agents, some wearing camouflage, set up a perimeter around a Madison park Tuesday after a murder suspect's vehicle was discovered nearby. Police say a pickup truck believed to be owned by Steve Weber was found Tuesday morning near the wooded Hoyt Park. Staff, children and others at the Madison School & Community Recreation building in Hoyt School near the park were ordered to stay inside with doors locked. Weber is suspected of fatally shooting his ex-wife, 47-year-old Francesca Weber, at her Fitchburg apartment last Saturday.

Former Gypsy Jokers bikie president Lennard Kirby and associate Alexandro Scilio shooting

Five people are being questioned by police over the shooting of former Gypsy Jokers bikie president Lennard Kirby and associate Alexandro Scilio.Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Crime) Wayne Gregson said the five were "helping police with their inquiries'' over the bikie shooting in Jandakot.Two of the five are injured and have been taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. It is not known how badly hurt they are, or how they sustained their injuries.A man and a woman went with police to Curtin House, the City detectives headquarters in Stirling Street.A fifth person remained with police at the hotel in Joondalup. Police detained the five people at the Joondalup City Hotel earlier today. Mr Gregson said police had been speaking with the five people since 1.30pm today, but no charges had been laid. Kirby, who has served time in prison for drug offences, was shot three times in the chest and is in a stable condition in Royal Perth Hospital. The other man, Alexandro Scilio, was shot in the arm. The injury is not life-threatening.Scilio is an associate of Kirby and has also been convicted of drug offences.The men were shot at a house in Jandakot at about 4.20pm yesterday and were taken to hospital in the back of a ute by club associates.Mr Gregson said police do not believe the incident was as a result of gang conflict.He would not say if police had recovered a firearm. ``At this stage of our investigation it would appear the parties are known to each other and the matter is a dispute over drugs,'' he said. ``Both victims are convicted criminals relating to illegal drugs. ``There is no suggestion that this incident is a result of bikie gang conflict. ``It is not a bikie war. "It would appear that this incident, although involving a member of a bikie gang, is unlikely to escalate.
"However, it must be remembered that outlaw motorcycle gangs are organised criminal groups that are unpredictable.'' Police were called to the house in Peppworth Place, a semi-rural street in the southern suburb, after reports of gunfire.Tactical Response Group officers completed a search of the property about 9pm.``Investigations of this type are often very difficult because of the level of co-operation, or should I say the lack of co-operation, that you often get from both parties involved,'' Mr Gregson said.

Two men fired shots at a group of people last week, including deputies interviewing witnesses after a fight near Elkton.

No one was injured when authorities said the men opened fire from a car in the 1300 block of E. Old Philadelphia Road around 10:30 p.m. Thursday.The sheriff's office said 18-year-old Jeremiah Bedwell of Elkton and 24-year-old Raymond Chadwick had been involved in the fight earlier and returned to the scene. The fight was the latest incident in an ongoing feud between two non-gang-related groups, according to authorities.Bedwell and Chadwick were arrested a short time after the shooting and charged with two counts of first-degree assault, six counts of second-degree assault and weapons charges.