Bellas Gate stunned by farmer’s murder

Residents of the quiet farming community of Bellas Gate, Clarendon, are in shock following the murder of Clovis Watt, a 60-year-old farmer.

Watt, also known as 'Yellow', was said to be a figure of selflessness and generosity.

"He was always there for everyone, he never said no," a tearful relative recounted.

"He was the go-to person in the district if they have any little thing to do. He was very helpful, and everyone just know him as someone who goes to his farm and back. He was very hard-working but still find time for others," the relative added.

According to the Constabulary Communications Unit, Watt was gunned down by unknown assailants at about 12 a.m. on Saturday. The quiet night was shattered by gunfire in the Sandy Hole section of the community, where residents later discovered Watt's lifeless body. The relative described the horror of the night.

"I heard the shots, but I put my phone on silent as I usually do and went to bed. When I woke up about two hours later, I saw a lot of missed calls on my phone, and when mi call back, the person a tell mi seh dem hear seh Watt dead," the relative said.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear.

"He wasn't one to get into arguments or trouble. He was just coming from the shop and heading home," the relative said.

The murder has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents shaken and fearful.

"Usually, you can walk any time of the night. Sandy Hole people dem peaceful, so right now everyone 'fraid. We nuh want this [to] become a habit, because everyone here just work hard and go a dem yard. Right now mi a guh ensure seh night nuh catch mi a road. Since the killing, everybody a stay in," she said.

Based on the most recent police statistics on serious crimes, Clarendon has been experiencing a major reduction in murders. For the period January 1 to September 7, the parish recorded 55 murders, which is 25 fewer than the 80 that were recorded during the corresponding period last year.