Gunshot victim invades funeral

Gary Samuels, pastor of Light of The World Christian Fellowship, was inside his church on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston conducting the funeral for a child yesterday when the sounds of shots pierced the air.

In an instant, the sombre atmosphere at the home-going ceremony was replaced with fear and trepidation as a gunshot victim ran inside and sought refuge.

"A young lad had lost his life because of sickness and that type of behaviour from those guys to come and cause all type of problem was really devastating," Samuels told THE STAR.

"I was inside conducting the service and when the guy got the shot he ran inside the church and when that happened it traumatised a lot of people. There was blood and everything, but God is good as he did not lose his life," he added.

The pastor said the victim is known to him, as he baptised him two years ago, and he attends worship ceremonies occasionally.

Yesterday's shooting took place shortly after 10 a.m. A Toyota Probox motor vehicle was reportedly spotted leaving the scene shortly after the explosions. The injured man was shot while standing along the roadway, just outside the church.

"Dem eva a tell him say him fi leave the main. Nothing more than somebody hear say him stand up there and dem try off him. Maxfield hot right now. Suppose yuh see how the people dem over the church a run up and down when the shot dem a buss," an eyewitness told THE STAR.

Others at the scene said Samuels was heard praying over the injured man. He was later assisted to the hospital by police who were summoned to the location. The police, soon after, advised the pastor to bring the service to an end. The child's remains were taken to Clarendon for burial.

Up to April 30, the St Andrew South Police Division has recorded 17 shootings, the same as the corresponding period in 2022.

Samuels yesterday told THE STAR that he is encouraging the community members not to be afraid, stating that his prayers are with them continuously.

"The devil will not take over the community as we are praying. I want the residents to know that God is in the city so they should not be afraid. The devil will cause mayhem but he cannot win," he said.

At the same time, the pastor said he is encouraging the victim to return to church.

"I just want him to serve the Lord. I baptised that guy about two years ago ... I pray for him a lot and encourage him. He comes to church now and again. He is a mason so he will come sometimes and help when work is going on. I prayed for him [a] couple Sundays ago when I saw him. I always encourage him," the clergyman said.