Ellerslie Avenue man killed on mom’s birthday

What should have been a celebratory moment for St Catherine resident Veronica Campbell turned into a heartbreaking ordeal on Thursday as she grappled with the death of her son, Suman McFarlane, who was killed by members of the security forces.

Residents alleged that McFarlane, 29, was shot as he laid in bed at his one-bedroom Ellerslie Avenue home with his girlfriend and two young children.

"Dem grab up she [the babymother] and push her out the room and start shoot. Dem shoot him with the two baby dem pon the bed. A after dem done shoot him, dem carry the baby dem out," relatives told the news team.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, during a press conference on Thursday, said McFarlane was killed during an operation to capture members of the Klansman gang.

"During this operation, Suman McFarlane o/c Max, challenged the security forces and was fatally shot, and three firearms [were] recovered and a quantity of ammunition," Bailey said.

Bullet holes in the walls bore testament of Thursday's incident. Shots even went through a neighbour's wall.

Campbell could not contain her emotions as she walked into her son's room, glancing at the blood-splattered floor.

"Today a me birthday and look weh me live come see. Dem not even come with no warrant, dem nuh show me nothing. Dem just come in and start fire shot, and when shot tek him, him drop a grung," the grieving woman said.

"See the pot a rice yah weh him cook last night (Wednesday). Him cook curried goat and cow foot last night and gi me the curried goat. See the plate dem deh, not even wash out yet. A hard-working yute, look pon the likkle baby dem weh him lef," Campbell said.

"Me lose dem father inna 2006 and him a me sixth [out of 10] pickney fi dead.

McFarlane's relatives said he was a jack of all trades who was versed in tiling, masonry and electrician work. They added that he loved to cook and prepared the delicious Christmas dinner spread earlier in the week.