KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica’s football fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the shooting death of former national player Irvino English here Wednesday night.
According to media reports here, the 42-year-old was gunned down in Waterhouse, a troubled community in western St Andrew – a parish which borders the capital Kingston.
English, who earned five caps for the Reggae Boyz between 2001-2002, was shot several times in the upper body, reports said.
He had taken up coaching following his playing days which included a long career for leading domestic club Waterhouse.
Jamaica Football Federation general secretary, Dalton Wint, described English’s death as a “huge loss to football.”
“It is indeed shocking because it wasn’t something that we were looking for,” Wint was quoted as saying.
“It is untimely and the way he lost his life, it is something that we are sad about and we want to extend our condolences to his family, friends and well-wishers.”
He added: “He was a coach in his own right and so that will be missed by his school Wolmer’s and so it is a sad loss. He represented the national team and we at the JFF are in mourning.”
Jamaica recorded 116 murders last month in another violent start to the year.
Last year, the country reported over 1300 murders.