AREA LEADER’S MURDER PUTS COMMUNITY ON EDGE

Members of the security forces are maintaining a strong presence in Greenwich Town, St Andrew, following the shooting deaths of two men in separate incidents on West Avenue on Monday.

Among the dead is an influential community member, 53-year-old Christopher Palmer, who was gunned down metres from his gate about 11 a.m. According to the police, Palmer, otherwise called 'Bagga', was standing on the roadway when a motor car drove up and its occupants opened gunfire hitting him several times.

His common-law wife said that her partner's murder marked the end of a 30-year union.

"Is little over 30 years we together, and we have three children together. He was the nicest person mi ever know, and he was a peacemaker. Mi in the house, and mi hear the shot dem. Mi just run and bawl out because mi know say he was in the direction where the shot dem a fire. When mi look, mi see people a run come down the road say him dead," she said.

As she showed the news team photographs of her late partner, the couple's 10-year-old daughter cried and had to be comforted by her brother, who remembered his father as a confidante.

"He was the best father ever. He was more than a father, but more of a brother. I could talk to him about anything, and he loved his family with all his heart," he said.

Had been targeted

Pointing to a bullet hole in the wall on their verandah, Palmer's common-law wife said that Monday was not the first time that her partner had been targeted by gunmen.

"Is just about three months ago dem fire shot after me and him, but none a we never get shot. He was also shot and injured several years ago. Bagga was a man of order, and nuh rape or robbery couldn't gwaan round here," she said.

Another resident chimed in, stating that he is worried that the killing of Palmer could be the death of a peace treaty that has existed in the community for years.

"A good while peace a gwaan, and mi know all a that done with now. Bagga was a well-respected man, and him didn't deserve that. Dem just kill him because dem want 'donmanship'," the resident said.

Just hours after Palmer's demise, his neighbour, Andrew 'Brandy' Robinson, suffered a similar fate. The 43-year-old, who is of unsound mind, was shot and killed by unknown assailants close to the spot where Palmer was murdered on Monday night. Reports from the Hunts Bay police are that about 11:05 p.m., residents heard explosions and summoned them. On their arrival, Robinson was seen with several gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His mother, Elliouse Willis, said Robinson was well loved and known by everyone in Greenwich Town.

"Although he was sick, he was never a violent person, and he was very caring and protective of me. I was sleeping, and then I hear the commotion, and then mi hear say a him get shot. Mi feel it bad," she said.

Gary Francis, senior superintendent of police at the Hunts Bay Police Station, said that the police and members of the Jamaica Defence Force will continue to provide security in the area.

"We are are appealing to the residents who knows exactly who these perpetrators are to assist the police with information. Our aim is to protect lives and property," he said.