Only child weeps over loss of ‘best dad’

KIMONA ROWE’S teary eyes told a story of great loss as she struggled to come to grips with the shooting death of her dad, Everol Rowe, in Frome, Westmoreland.

The elder Rowe was one of three men fatally shot after armed men opened fire at patrons at the Pixie Dust Bar in Frome, at approximately 12:50 on Wednesday morning. Four patrons were also reportedly shot and injured.

The other deceased men have been identified as Kemar Smith, otherwise called ‘Beenie Bud’, of Savanna-la-Mar, and Andre McDonald, of a Gully Banks address in Savanna-la-Mar, both in Westmorland.

According to the Westmoreland police, two men armed with handguns alighted from a Toyota Axio motor car and opened fire on the group, resulting in the patrons fleeing in different directions.

Rowe was subsequently seen suffering from gunshot wounds - to the upper body - outside the bar when the shooting subsided along with Smith, McDonald, and four other persons.

Rowe later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in the parish.

The other four victims were all admitted for treatment.

Devastated by this loss, Kimona told The Gleaner that she was still shocked to hear about the incident as she believed that it was her father’s first time stepping foot inside of the bar.

She explained that while her 55-year-old dad operated a small shop across the street from the establishment, he did not have a reason to visit the bar.

“They said that someone called him and he went across the road then went into the bar to buy something. He had never been over there before,” Kimona said as she fought back tears.

A sombre mood filled the streets of Frome yesterday as residents sat on the sidewalks whispering among themselves.

Rowe was described as a “good man who knew nothing about badness” by a man who only identified himself as the deceased man’s nephew.

The grieving daughter speculated that her father was simply a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time and though a friend attempted to save his life, it was too late.

“They said that they [gunmen] came for two persons and he was standing close by. However, they said a friend was pulling him out through a side door but someone was outside thinking that it was one of the guys who they went for, so they shot the both of them,” Kimona explained.

While describing the relationship shared with her father, Kimona told The Gleaner that she felt numb as his death had left an unexplainable void in her heart.

“I’m not feeling anything. My whole body feels numb. I’m his only child. He had me from I was three months old, and he was a single dad,” she said.

The grieving daughter said that she had always shared a very close bond with her father as she was his only child.

“He was the best dad anybody could have ever asked for,” she said.

“Even now as an adult, he still treats me like I am a five-year-old baby girl. He is like the greatest dad ever. He is not rich, but he ensures that I am okay and my kids are good,” Kimona added before her voice trailed off.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Area One, Clifford Chambers, told The Gleaner that yesterday’s shooting is believed to have been gang-related.

He said that both Smith and McDonald were the intended targets.

“What we have verified is that two persons of the three killed were persons of interest who were members of a violent street gang operating in Westmoreland. That gang is in conflict with another gang and both persons were persons of interest in major crimes in the area,” ACP Chambers explained.

The assistant commissioner further noted that one of the deceased men had been charged with murder and had been recently released on conditional bail.

“That murder charge is a man who was a part of the other gang,” said ACP Chambers.

At the same time, the assistant commissioner shared that the four injured patrons were admitted to hospital.

“The four other persons are still in hospital. Two are in critical, but stable condition, and the others are under observation as we speak,” said Chambers yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, the ACP told The Gleaner that investigators assigned to the Westmoreland Police Division are already making headway in the investigation of yesterday’s shooting. However, he urged that citizens also play their part by providing leads to the police.

“The investigators combed the scene, and they were able to obtain forensic evidence, and statements were also collected. As it is now, there are some persons of interest that the investigators are looking out for,” said ACP Chambers.

“We would like to also appeal that anyone who has information contact any police that they trust and have confidence in,” said the Area One head.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com