Instead of my regular Sunday review of the Jamaican news, I am posting a list of Jamaican citizens who have died in the past week – either at the hands of the police, or of their fellow Jamaicans. I am going to spare you the tragic details of these deaths. This may not be a complete list. If there are any omissions or inaccuracies, please let me know.
Police killings:
- Two unidentified men killed in Four Paths, Clarendon
- Anthony Martin, 26, killed in Four Paths, Clarendon
- Sheldon “Danny” French, 32, killed in Ensom City, St. Catherine
- Nicholas McKenzie, 30, killed in Ensom City, St. Catherine
- Adrian “Killer Frog” Chung, 34, killed in Ensom City, St. Catherine
- Ricardo Beckford, killed in Innswood, St. Catherine
- Unidentified man, killed on bus near Three Miles, Kingston
- Kavorn Schue, 25, killed in Jarrett Lane, Mountain View, Kingston
Other murders:
- Kenmore Barrett, 20, killed on bus, Washington Boulevard, Kingston
- Theodore Plummer, 71, killed in Cauldwell, Hanover
- Gary Ames, 47, killed in Montego Bay, St. James
- Ryan Edwards, 37, killed in Duhaney Park, Kingston
- Unidentified man, age approx. 24, killed by a mob in Milk River, Clarendon
- Delroy Frame, 27, killed in Wild Cane District, St. Ann
- Two men known as “Avatar” and “Jermaine” killed on Trafalgar Road, New Kingston
- Unidentified body found in cane field near Montego Bay, St. James; may be body of missing Trinidadian Michelle Coudray-Greaves, 39
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of all the above Jamaicans, and to all those who knew and loved them. My heart goes out to you all.
In future, I will include a new list at the end of each Sunday news review.
Related articles
- Why I will not be writing my Sunday review, this week (petchary.wordpress.com)
- Daughter of Trinidad mayor found dead in Jamaica canefield (caribbean360.com)
In Memoriam
Tragic and, as most were under 40, a waste of lives barely lived.
Yes, and many young men in the inner-city areas don’t expect to live long. The police mostly go for men in their twenties. It’s grim.
What is going on? I liked it in support of the need for transparency not because I approve of the killings… This is dreadful. My condolences to all affected… TY Petchary for sharing this.
You’re welcome. I know it is depressing, but one must also think of the victims’ families, and the several layers of grief (and indeed anger) and in many cases irreparable pain that these needless deaths leave behind. Thanks so much for your prayers, and for caring…
That 20 young men should lose their lives in one week is horrifying. That it occurs in a country the size of Jamaica is even more worrisome. Something indeed is going on, if nothing more than disregard for the value of human life. I’m glad you’re one brave enough to call attention to these peculiar losses.
The problem is, I just have to call attention to this. When you see the distraught, grieving family members on television it breaks your heart. It’s not only about the terrible way in which (mostly) young men are dying,but it is also those they leave behind. My heart goes out to them. What counseling or comfort do they receive? It is not readily available, at all. And compensation for the loss of someone who may have been the sole support for the family? None, or if one goes through the courts (which they can’t afford to do) it will take years and nothing may come of it. It’s not just the impunity, it’s the total lack of accountability – and total lack of remorse. It is very harsh. Actually, there is a good opinion piece on this topic in today’s newspaper, which I will use in my weekly news round-up this week, I think. Yes, Jamaica is SMALL – our population is less than three million… Thank you for caring.
That’s shocking, Petchari. Even here things aren’t so brutal, though every now and again we have an outrageous spate of police brutality, or stupidity, leading to loss of life.
I know. It’s appalling. There seems no end to it, and most Jamaicans feel quite helpless…
So helpless they’ve given up? That would be a terrible day …
No, I would not say given up. Just that people don’t know how to change things – although many Jamaicans are trying, in their own circles, wherever they can. The NGOs do an amazing job, while operating on tiny budgets, in crime prevention and helping at-risk youth.
So sad, but at least people haven’t given up.
Recently a trauma surgeon in Chicago called their homicide rate a matter of public health. If we wish to prevent the disease we need to work on the risk factors and causes in a society where violence and murder has become common place. It affects us all, not just people that live in a certain area, or those of a certain socioeconomic class. No man is an island, and it is time for people of conscience to join the few that are trying to tackle this cancer.
I absolutely agree with you. This is the essence of the matter – the root cause, and the ultimate solution…
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