Fri | Nov 29, 2024

Brothers killed in bloody Bath attack

Third escapes death with gunshot wound from surprise shooting in quiet Westmoreland community

Published:Thursday | June 13, 2024 | 12:09 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
Cyril Glaze
Cyril Glaze
Leon Glaze
Leon Glaze
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WESTERN BUREAU:

The community of Bath, near Strathbogie, in Westmoreland, was thrown into mourning yesterday morning when residents woke up to the sad news that two brothers were shot and killed.

A third brother was shot and injured by gunmen, who barged into their home on Tuesday night and peppered them with bullets.

“We hear de nuff gunshot dem last night, but you know, a night, so nobody nah go really rush out fe find out a wha gwaan,” a resident told The Gleaner yesterday.

“Is this morning when me hear people bawling that me realise seh bad things gwaan inna de community last night and dat de man dem dead.”

The deceased men have been identified as 34-year-old Leon Glaze, and 32-year-old Cyril Glaze. The third brother, who was lucky to escape with his life, has been identified as 23-year-old Seon Glaze.

According to reports, the three brothers, who lived together, were at home when armed assailants barged in on them and opened gunfire. Leon, who was trapped in the immediate path of the invading gunmen, was shot multiple times in his head and upper body. The other two brothers tried to escape but were also shot as they ran. Cyril, who fell in his yard after being shot, also died, but Seon managed to escape, albeit suffering bullet wounds.

A man who said he is the uncle of the deceased men says he was at home when the surviving brother rushed into his yard and told him the sad news, which has left his family, especially his mother – the grandmother of the slain men – devastated and in mourning.

“The little brother (Seon) run come round a mi yard and knock pon me window and tell me that him and him brother dem get shot up … him seh him nuh know if dem dead,” said the uncle, who told The Gleaner that he rushed to his nephews’ house with the intention of taking them to the hospital.

“When mi go ‘round deh me see seh Leon already dead inna de house but the other brother (Cyril) was on the ground outside wiggling in the grass, so mi know him wasn’t dead. Mi round up some of mi friend dem and rush off with him to hospital but him neva mek it,” added the uncle.

The uncle admitted that the shooting came as a big surprise to him and the entire community, which is well known as a peaceful place where the residents generally get along well. He said he is totally unaware of any issues which could have sparked such an incident.

“This is a good community, you can leave anything outside at night, bicycle and bike, and you don’t have to worry about anybody stealing them,” said the uncle. “Mi nuh know what this shooting a come offa … but me know this is a good community… me born and grow right yasso and me nuh have nothing bad fe seh bout Bath.”

It is understood that the brothers, whose father died some time ago and whose mother currently resides overseas, are very close and protective of each other.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com