Gangster to give up guns - Says he is tired of criminal lifestyle

For the past 17 years, John* has been a member of a criminal outfit, wreaking havoc in the streets of the Corporate Area.

But he has borne his soul in a recent interview with THE WEEKEND STAR, stressing his desire to end his life of crime. He said that he is eager to embrace a new chapter and become a positive influence for his three children.

The 30-year-old insists that he wants to give up his 'new machines', but is fearful of handing them over to the police as he does not want to be a part of a database. He also wants to be guaranteed that his efforts will be rewarded properly, through cash and safety.

John, who claimed to have seven Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) passes, said he had his sights set on becoming a pilot before he got diverted into badness. It is a decision that he regrets.

"Me grow inna the badness yuh know, 'cause nobody nuh born bad. Me parents dem send me go Sunday School, like everybody, but yuh done know, being in the system, yuh affi tuff up. It's a 'kill or be killed' community me grow up inna. Nobody nuh choose dem rival, nuff a di yute weh me an dem at it, a me family, a me cousin same way, but me naah guh fire shot offa me cousin dem," the gangster said.

His rap sheet, which he says is too much to outline, is noted for incidents of shooting with intent and wounding. He said that he was last locked up in July 2021, and spent six months behind bars before being released on bail.

He said that being in confinement for such a long period meant that he missed several milestones in his children's development. He said that it is one of the factors driving his desire to chart a new course.

"Me a try step away from all a dis because me family dem nuh too want me a live dem type a life yah nuh more. ... Me nah glorify the wrongs weh me do, me want change the life. Me been a do tings and me name a call. Me mada a cry, me babymada a cry, everybody a cry, and a more dan one time police come fi me and man affi bawl fi dem life same way," John said.

"Me nuh feel comfortable fi a involve in a dem life yah. It hurt me heart," he said, the pain evident in his voice.

The discomfort, according to John, arises from the inability to enjoy quality time with his family in public spaces, as well as the freedom to attend social gatherings without feeling targeted by his rivals.

"Right now, me can still taste and smell the gun powder from di last man weh me mash up. Any man weh a walk an' a mash up people an' a tell yuh say it feel good, badness only feel good when yuh deh 'mongst yuh friend dem weh can glorify weh yuh a do. If dem tell yuh say dem feel invincible, a joke ting dem deh pon. Me affi constantly a live inna di shadows and me feel unproductive fi know say, if me yute dem wah go out -- the daddy-child ting -- and me can't provide it."

He told the news team that he has two illegal firearms in his possession, one named Browning and the other called 40 ball. He said that one is new while the other has been used to commit several offences. The Corporate Area man said that he can get about $500,000 if he sells the weapons to other gangsters. However, he is determined to turn the weapons over to the authorities.

"A nuh like we want Crime Stop money, me just don't want my gun dem in a di road," he said after being advised to call 311 and arrange for the collection of the guns.

"Me want change my life but me nuh want help f*** up society by saying me a walk lef badness and still lef two gun a road. Me want it in a di police hands cause me conscience a tell me say dat a the right ting fi do," John said.

* Name changed to protect identity.