Tonight, the Police Department is asking the state for another SOE after a weekend of roguish violence.
There were two murders in the city - but the crime that caught everyone's attention was the shooting in Roaring Creek - where luckily no one was hurt - but a chilling message was sent to the Police Department.
Jules Vasquez was in Roaring Creek:
PC Amin Leslie was sitting in this chair at 12:30 on Sunday morning waiting to go on shift at 1:00 am - when he saw a man wearing a hoodie about 75 feet away, just outside the station's gate - in front of a mechanic shop.
Leslie was using his phone and thought nothing of it. He absently went back into his phone until he heard the sound of gunshots - he couldn't have imagined anyone was shooting at the station - that's until the splinters of cement from this column hit him in the face. That's when the reality of what was happening struck.
He dived to the ground and scrambled to safety inside the station- crawling on his belly. It's fortunate that he did - because if he hadn't he would have likely been killed by this bullet. In fact the camouflage jacket he wore was torn by a bullett right below the neckline.
Today, we saw 13 bullett holes that pocked the station's outer wall. The marks aren't in anything near to a tight cluster - some of them are near the roof, some near the ground. But while they might not show a skilled shooter - the show one who wanted to send a message: he emptied out 18 rounds of 40 caliber ammunition - probably using a prohibited weapon like this - equipped with a switch that makes it fire in quick succession, like an automatic weapon.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division
"There are several holes in the building as well as a damaged glass window. Investigation revealed that three officers were at the station at the time they heard the loud bangs and they took cover. Thereafter when they came out the suspect had already fled from the area. The scene was processed where several expended shells were found. We are seeking several suspects in regards to this shooting."
Aggressively seeking suspects. Today in Roaring Creek we saw the Special Patrol Unit in full effect - deploying across the village in as many as five pickups - looking for the suspected shooter.
The teams were deep inside the villages interior - trying to search out a known suspect - they believe to be hiding somewhere between the cemetery and the dense bush that borders it. They found this hammock which may be a clue.
But while they are closing in on a suspect, why did he do it?
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division
"We have not established a clear motive the matter is under investigation."
Our sources say it could be linked to the murder of PC Dylan Anthony in the village back in March. At the time, his murder led to an SOE - and today - as police made many detentions - villagers we spoke to were bracing for the possibility of another. Whatever the case, it's clear form the showing today that police want to send a strong message to criminal elements in this community that has seen two acts of unprecedented lawlessness in three months.
At news time a number of persons from Roaring Creek and Cotton Tree had been detained - but so far no one has been charged. Police are also hoping to recover the weapon used.
