Three men, who were shot and killed in three separate shooting incidents, last Wednesday, join the long list of people, who have lost their lives due to gun violence in the area.
According to reports, the first victim, a 31-year-old, was shot on Burgers Road and died in the hospital.
The second, a 19-year-old, was gunned down on Alabama Road and died upon arrival in the hospital.
Rising Sun reported that the third victim, who has been identified as Craig Cochrane, 55, was allegedly struck by a stray bullet while watching TV in his home.
Shocked by the sudden passing of his close friend whom he had last seen a day before, Karl Gordon, took to Facebook to share a touching tribute to Cochrane.
“Another senseless killing due to the gang violence in Wentworth. One of my best friends, Craig Cochrane aka Raj, was struck by a stray bullet while watching TV yesterday in his lounge. After visiting me yesterday, we decided to meet on Saturday to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately, we can’t now. Rest in eternal peace, Craig, you are safe in the arms of the Lord. It is so unbelievable that you died on my birthday. When you left me, you said you were going straight inside to watch TV because of all the shootings in the area,” he wrote.
He and other users also expressed their condolences to the Cochrane family.
Community leader, Tracey Williams, said she was deeply pained by the rampant violence in the Wentworth community.
She said drugs and gangsterism were not new things and have always been there, but that things were becoming worse over the years.
“When I look back at how gangsterism was in the 90s, the gangsters and crews were at peace with each other. Now, they are fighting over territories and hold g r u d g e s against each other for killing relatives. Yes, we want our community back and for the drugs to be cleaned out of our area. I have spoken to some young men who don’t want to sell drugs or be involved in gangs. But they feel like they have no choice because nobody will employ them because of the area they come from and because of what they are doing,” said a concerned Williams.
She added that as a mother herself, nothing was more heart-breaking than seeing the tears of another mum as they view their children’s lifeless bodies lying on the streets.
