A 29-year-old man was shot in front of Art Mel’s Spicy Dicy at approximately 5.30 p.m. today.

The Royal Gazette understands that a Police car with two officers was parked just yards away when the shooting occurred.

Tension is now mounting on 42nd Street as residents come to grip with what happened in their neighbourhood.

Residents said children were playing in the street as the daylight shooting took place, less than an hour ago.

A female resident said: “I do not pay my tax money for this. The Police were sitting right there. Why are they not keeping us safe?”

Up to 50 people are currently on the scene yelling at Police; some are crying. Children are being taken inside.

Forensics investigators are scouring the streets for bullet casings.

According to one resident, the gentleman that was shot was bundled into a private car and taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Police media spokesman Dwayne Caines said: “A few minutes after 5.30 this afternoon Police responded to a shooting on St. Monica’s Mission Road. A 29-year-old Pembroke man was shot and taken to hospital with serious injuries. Serious Crime officers are on the scene triaging the area. Anyone with information should call the Police at 295-0011 or the confidential crimestoppers line, which is 800-8477.”

Asked to comment on the tense scene, Mr. Caines said: “As you can imagine this was a serious incident which took place in view of children and people going about their daily lives. We understand the frustration the community is feeling and we are continuing to work with them.”

When asked if it was correct Police were on the scene when the shooting took place, he said: “We are investigating that.”

The victim was known to Police, Mr. Caines added.

For the full story read tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.