Man slain after digging mom’s grave
Published:Friday | September 16, 2022 | 12:12 AMHopeton Bucknor/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A 54-year-old man who returned to the island from England just over three weeks ago to bury his mother was shot dead by a lone gunman in Green Island, Hanover, on Wednesday night, just hours after participating in the grave-digging exercise.
The dead man has been identified as Everton ‘Short Man’ James, an auto mechanic, who is originally from Green Island but who has been living in England.
James returned to the island on August 26 to supervise the burial of his mother, Hortense James, who died after a protracted period of illness.
According to reports, James was standing with relatives and friends at their family home in Green Island, where they were preparing for a wake.
An assailant, who eyewitnesses said was wearing a hoodie sweater, which masked his face, reportedly walked up to James and pulled a gun from his waistband and opened fire, hitting him multiple times.
The gunman made his escape on a waiting motorcycle.
As the shots rang out, people began scampering for cover. The shots attracted the attention of a team of police and soldiers at the Green Island Police Station, but by the time they rushed to the location, the killer had already fled.
James was transported to the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, where he was pronounced dead.
When The Gleaner visited James’ family home yesterday, Dian Tomlinson recalled her uncle as a kind and jovial individual who was always encouraging others to do good and make the best of their lives.
“With all this killing going on all over Jamaica, he has always encouraged his nephews and his friends to keep away from trouble,” said Tomlinson, noting that James last visited Jamaica six years ago to bury his aunt, who was her mother.
“Now he was murdered three days before his mother’s burial, which is set for Saturday,” said Tomlinson.
Community members gathered at the residence to show support to the grieving family recalled James as a generous man, who regularly donated food, clothing, and other items to needy residents.
Inspector Mervin Hodges, the sub-officer in charge of Green Island Police Station, said the police are seeking to identify and apprehend the killer, who is believed to be a resident of the community.
James’ killing brings to 28 persons the number of persons murdered in Hanover since the start of the year.