Yellow Man and Benja: Victims of Daytime Shooting in Dunkirk, East Kingston

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Unmanned Barriers Prove Ineffective as Armed Killers Strike in Broad Daylight in Dunkirk, East Kingston

Unmanned guard rails left behind from a curfew imposed almost a month ago were no deterrent for heavily armed killers who drove onto West Avenue in Dunkirk, East Kingston, in the daytime yesterday, leaving death in their wake.

As of press time, the deceased men were only identified by their aliases: ‘Yellow Man’ and his nephew ‘Benja’, both residents of West Avenue. The shocking incident unfolded when Benja was assisting his mother, Yellow Man’s sister, in loading personal belongings onto a moving truck. Suddenly, a car pulled up, and several armed men emerged, opening fire indiscriminately.

Although the victims attempted to flee, their assailants caught up with them before they could escape. According to an alleged eyewitness, the attackers ruthlessly shot one of the men in the front yard before moving to the other victim at the back of the house. After shooting him, the assailants returned to the first victim and unleashed further gunfire. The witness described the attack as a mob invasion, emphasizing the sheer brutality of the incident.

Residents in the area were shaken by the barrage of gunfire that erupted, with personnel at the nearby Bellevue Hospital also expressing their fear upon hearing the echoing shots. The alarming nature of the incident prompted many individuals to gather at the crime scene on West Avenue, including Yellow Man’s eldest sister. She questioned how her brother and nephew had left themselves exposed on a day as significant as November 8.

Yellow Man’s eldest sibling also revealed that November 8 held particular significance as it marked the anniversary of a previous shooting incident at the same location. Moreover, it was their deceased mother, Ms Essy’s, birthday, and instead of being at her graveside, she found herself at a crime scene mourning the loss of her loved ones. Overwhelmed by grief, she lamented the fact that out of seven brothers, only one remained, and he was now admitted to Bellevue Hospital.

The tragic shooting took place at a location known as Big Yard, where a resident of 43 years expressed shock at experiencing such a tragedy in their home for the first time. Concerned for her daughter’s well-being, she anxiously requested investigating officers to check on her child. Like others in the community, she was puzzled as to why November 8 did not serve as a reminder for the now deceased to be more vigilant.

The area, commonly referred to as Dunkirk but officially named McIntyre Villa, has been plagued by tension for several months. Some residents had anticipated an attack due to the prevailing unease, taking precautions to secure fence lines and borders. However, the attackers unexpectedly chose the front roadway to carry out their deadly mission, resulting in two members of a single family losing their lives.

On National Heroes Day, October 16, three men were executed on neighboring Bray Street, but it remains unclear whether the incidents are related. The victims were identified as Mario Headley, Rick Smith, and an individual known only as Patrick. According to the security forces, the triple murder was gang-related and a reprisal for the killing of ‘Popeye’ on October 13. In response to the escalating violence, a 48-hour curfew was imposed by the police.

Despite the presence of unmanned guard rails at the entrance to the roadways along Windward Road, the assailants managed to penetrate the area and carry out their attack. The East Kingston Police Division recorded 60 murders as of October 28, one more than during the same period in 2022. The residents of Dunkirk, who have been subjected to recurring bloodshed, have been advocating for the establishment of a zone of special operations in the area since 2021.

For further information, please contact andre.williams@gleanerjm.com..