Jamaica bloodshed mounts

Drug-related violence is common in Jamaica

Gunmen burst into a hospital in Jamaica and shot dead a wounded murder suspect in his bed, and the policeman guarding him.

Hours later the murder suspect's sister was gunned down when she went to a morgue to identify the body.

Fifteen people have been killed in criminal violence in Jamaica in the first three days of 2001.

There was no word on the motive behind the shootings but much of Jamaica's crime-related violence involves warring gangs, often linked to the drug trade.

Deadly toll

Bunny Lee, 19, had been brought to Kingston Public Hospital after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting in the Jamaican capital's Delacree Park area. He was being guarded by a policeman as he was wanted on murder charges.

There have been 15 fatal shootings since Monday

On Wednesday afternoon, five men dressed as porters and armed with high-powered weapons entered the ward and shot Mr Lee several times.

The policeman was shot as he rushed to Mr Lee's defence. Both men died instantly.

Mr Lee's sister has not been named.

Last year more than 870 people died violently, 13 of them policemen, in the country of 2.6 million people, according to government figures.

That compared with 547 in 1999.

In September last year police set up a new anti-crime unit to tackle organised crime.