Cops probe Tabby Diamond link in teen’s killing

The point-blank-range shooting of a teenage boy Tuesday has sparked a probe by the St Andrew South police to ascertain whether the killing was in reprisal for the murder of reggae singer ‘Tabby Diamond’.

The deceased, 16-year-old Janio Ellis, was walking home after playing video games nearby when explosions were heard at 10:20 p.m. The boy was reportedly shot more than a dozen times.

Janio’s Seaward Drive family is now in mourning after he was waylaid and shot to death just metres from his gate.

His grandmother, Merline Green, recounted how a shaken relative awoke her from sleep to give her the terrible news.

Green said she almost threw up when she first saw Janio’s body.

Janio, who was reportedly removed from Norman Manley High School because of run-ins with a teacher, was to start classes at Excelsior Community College in September.

“Him have few little friends, but a mostly girls. Him play him football and love to laugh. Him nuh give no problem but him kind of ignorant and will talk certain things when you get him out,” Green said, adding that they shared a good relationship.

Reports from the Olympic Gardens police are that 17 spent casings were recovered from the scene.

Janio’s family said he was shot six times in the head and shoulder.

At the murder scene Wednesday, Janio’s shot-riddled tam was on the ground along with a single bullet fragment and bloodstains on a wall.

The family is baffled about why the teen was attacked and is wondering if a recent domestic dispute is among the factors.

The police are, however, following another line of enquiry that Janio associated with a faction from Wint Road linked to the killing of Donald Shaw, former lead singer of the Mighty Diamonds.

Shaw was shot and killed near his McKinley Avenue home in a drive-by attack on March 29. Another man was also killed.

Several men reportedly linked to the March attack have fled the island.

Tabby Diamond’s son, Jahmarley Shaw, who the Police High Command has dubbed “a known violence producer”, is behind bars, charged with murder.

The community of ‘Samocan’, where Janio lived, has been relatively violence free for some time, The Gleaner understands.

“The amount of shot him get, they sending a signal obviously. ... That is real malice deh behind it,”a senior policeman said.

Green and an aunt denied claims that Janio, the eldest of three children, had acquired a firearm recently.

“Mi miss everything bout him, as the mother would say a me spoil him,” said Green.

“When she a shout pon him, a me him come to. Him listen to all him auntie. Him nuh disrespect nobody.”

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com