St Catherine man killed by ‘friend’

Tears welled up in Anna-Kaye Santo's eyes and sadness gripped her face as she stared at a portait taken on her wedding day, December 29, 2018. Her husband, Ryan Santo, with whom she spent the last several years, has been cruelly taken from her by a man who shot and killed him in their home community of Berwick, which is situated just outside Riversdale in St Catherine.

"Ryan was everything to me, and I am yet to fully come to grips with the sadness that engulfs me," Anna-Kay said. "Ryan couldn't sing or dance very well, but he would often do both to cheer me up if I am sad. He brought joy to many. This is sad, and I am asking why it happened."

Police reports are that about 11:15 p.m. on Friday, February 12, Ryan was at a bar in Berwick when a dispute developed between him and another man. The man, said to be a close family friend, reportedly walked away and returned with a handgun, which he used to shoot Ryan in the upper body as he sat in his car.

Not been taken into custody

Ryan, 37, was rushed to the Linstead Hospital where he was pronounced dead, while the man who shot him fled the scene. Up to press time yesterday, he had not been taken into custody.

Meanwhile, Ryan's wife described him as a jovial and kind man who won her heart several years ago.

"I remember starting with Ryan as a friend and it evolved into a wonderful union. Although we didn't have children, everyone called him Uncle Ryan. He was a blessing, and there is still this monumental hurt that I feel. Only time can help me heal, along with my husband's fond memories," Anna-Kaye said.

Ryan, who operated a business and was a supervisor at a BPO establishment, was the third child for Grace Santo. She recalled their last encounter.

"It was Thursday that him carried the sweet potato and asked me to bake a pudding. It really hurt that I baked it on Friday and he didn't even get to taste it," said his mother, her eyes filled with tears.

Grace said she and Ryan shared a special bond.

"He would tell me how much he loves me and would press my clothes and tie my shoes for church. This pain cannot go away; the question is, why?" the grieving mother said.

Cabbette Santo-Black, an elder sister of the deceased, said that the manner in which Ryan lost his life has made it more difficult for the family to cope.

"If we learnt that he was killed in an accident, or by a stranger, it wouldn't have hurt so deeply, but to know that it's a close family friend it really multiplies the pains we are undergoing," Santo-Black said.

Ryan and the man, whose name has not been released by the police, reportedly shared drinks and were playing a poker box moments before the dispute that turned deadly. Berwick residents are shocked.

"The two man dem grow up inside this community, and is just pure wickedness, as it shouldn't happen. The place won't be the same again," a male resident said.