Peter Bunting, MP is condemning two separate shooting incidents which took place in his Central Manchester constituency since Friday evening, one of which involved multiple fatalities.

According to reliable sources, at about 7:00pm on Friday night, armed assailants approached Dr. Lyndon Lord outside his Ingleside home. Dr. Lord, a Senior Resident at the Mandeville Hospital, was shot and injured by the gunmen, who then fled the scene. He was rushed to the Mandeville Regional Hospital and later transferred to the University Hospital of the West Indies, where he is listed in serious condition.

The Mandeville Police informed Mr. Bunting of a separate incident that occurred on the morning of Saturday, October 15, 2011 at about 8:30am, where businessman Eric Haughton otherwise called “Preps”, of a Bonitto Crescent address, was engaged in a shooting at a shop near his home, by a group of four gunmen. In the shootout, both the gang leader and Mr. Haughton were killed. Two gunmen were also injured and the fourth escaped in the gang’s motor vehicle.

Mr. Bunting said, “This kind of predatory gang activity is something that the Mandeville community has been working with the leadership of the police to stamp out. The police intelligence suggests that both attacks were carried out by the same gang, who are also responsible for a number of other crimes committed in the parish.”

The M.P. continued, “My prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery goes out to Dr. Lord. I also offer my condolences to the grieving family, friends and neighbours of the valiant Mr. Haughton.”

Mr. Bunting added, “We hail the courage shown by this businessman, who took a stand against these criminals, and paid the ultimate price in so doing. I hope that with the destabilization of this gang, we will now see a reduction in crime in the parish.”

The MP is encouraging his constituents to remain vigilant and to assist the police in ridding their communities of criminals. He said, “We must remain composed in spite of the recent tragedies, and continue to support the police as they work to keep Manchester safe.”

The Member of Parliament renewed his call on the Ministry of Health to upgrade the Mandeville Regional Hospital to a Type A facility to better respond to emergencies and the growing health care needs in the mid-island region.