(Jamaica Gleaner) The rural community of Catadupa in St James is on edge, and there is a blanket of silence following the shooting deaths of two young men by a gunman on Saturday night.
Farmer Kevin Brissett, 37, of Catadupa, and 25-year-old unemployed Garnett Powell of Moy Hall in the parish were killed as they played a game of dominoes at a shop. A third man was also shot and injured during the incident.
When The Gleaner visited Catadupa yesterday, initially, several residents were hesitant to speak about Brissett or the shooting incident.
Devoted to his son
His mother, Yvonne Malcolm, reminisced about her son in a composed manner. She described him as a hard-working man who loved to talk with others and who was devoted to his only son.
“Him a me hand and foot. Mi just do an operation on me foot,” she said. “Me never hear that him and anybody in anything like argument. He was kind. Him will plant things and give them away. Him lived in town (Kingston) for years and come back here.”
Moy Hill residents were even more guarded when the news team went there in search of Powell’s relatives.
They were quick to point out that although Powell’s relatives lived in the area, the deceased had in fact lived in Catadupa.
“Mi talk to him Friday. Him is not a bad guy,” declared one woman, who would only identify herself as Powell’s grandmother.
The Cambridge police said they were following strong leads in the double murder.
They also disclosed that a suspect was being pursued in relation to the matter but declined to give further details.
Reports are that about 10:30 p.m., Brissett and Powell were among four men playing dominoes at a shop in Catadupa.
It is said that a gunman entered the shop and opened fire, hitting three of the men before escaping. The injured men were taken to the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital where Brissett and Powell were pronounced dead. The third man has been admitted and is in stable condition.
