Two seniors dead after being shot at domino table

A usually peaceful night of games among friends was shattered by gunmen last Friday along East Street in central Kingston leaving two men dead.

According to police reports, about 8:45 p.m., a group of men were playing dominoes when a motorcycle drove up and the pillion opened fire on the group. When the shooting subsided, it was discovered that four of the men were shot and injured. They were taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where Hugh 'Shearer' Simpson, 62, and Joseph 'Blacks' Mitchell, 64, succumbed to their injuries. Simpson was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, while Mitchell died on Sunday. When THE STAR visited the scene, a survivor of Friday night's attack said he is counting his blessings after he narrowly escaped death.

"Shearer was sitting next to me and the bike man dem pull up and a when di two first shot dem fire mi really realise wah really a gwan. Mi fling weh di plastic chair weh mi sit on and get flat. Mi see blood on mi and mi start wonder where mi get shot," he said. The man said that a few seconds later he began looking for his friend, and found Simpson, who was a carpenter, lying in a pool of blood.

"Him say 'Mi get shot and mi foot dem can't move'. A di last ting mi hear from him. Mi look and see Blacks and see di blood impression inna him back. Him a move but him never did a talk," the man said. A shopkeeper who said he was a close friend of Mitchell, described the labourer as a jovial and helpful individual.

"Him miserable but him very nice and helpful. Him nuh really play domino but him love racehorse like how him love Jeezas. Mi never know say shot a fire. Is a man tell mi to close mi shop and even when everything done, mi never know say Blacks get shot. Mi think him inna house," he said.

The shopkeeper expressed shock at Mitchell's passing as when he visited him at the hospital, he appeared 'strong'.

"Him did have on oxygen when mi visit him Saturday. Him all tell mi mi say di nurse dem have him key and phone. Mi never know him woulda dead. None a the man dem who get shot or dead a never wrongdoers. Dem a big man and every day a deh so dem deh a play dem little game until them ready to go in," he said.