Andy: I want justice for my brother!

The sound of gunshots is not an uncommon thing in Redemption Sharpes, so when five shots rang out about nine o’clock on Sunday evening it was business as usual.{{more}}

“I was up in my shop selling when I heard the shots, a little later, I called his cell phone but he did not answer.”

At the time Vivian Smith did not suspect that her 20-year-old son Lenford was dead.

As the sun came up on the community on the morning of Monday May 14th, Vivian received a phone call telling her the worst.

Speaking to Searchlight and surrounded by family and well wishers on Tuesday, Vivian recounted the last time she saw her son alive.

“On Sunday he wished me Happy Mother’s Day and said ‘Sorry I didn’t get you something for Mother’s Day because I worked late.’” His mother added,as she tried to keep her composure.



Vivian smith surrounded by daughter Samantha, daughter-in-law Shelly-Ann Phillips, son Andy and Lenford’s friend Alvin Antrobus.

She did not expect that after that conversation, the next time she would see him, he would be lying dead from gunshots to his left side.

The mother of five, said that although ‘Wa Wa’ as he was affectionately known, had a habit of getting into trouble and had problems with persons in the past, he had come a long way and was usually a peaceful, jolly person.

Older brother Andy who turned up shortly after, said that his brother’s death was a simple case of jealousy.

“My brother used to work, mek he money, buy shoes and clothes and check girls, he was always neat.”

“My brother used to eat with them, drink with them, share his Sunday lunch with them.” He added, “He wasn’t in no gang, they was just jealous.”

The day he died, Lenford was reported to have told a sister that “They were looking for him.” He did not elaborate any further as he left his home.

Meanwhile mom Vivian is appealing to the person or persons responsible to turn themselves in. “I want justice for my brother,” Andy added.

Up to press time no arrangements had been made for his funeral, since the police, who are investigating the killing, have not yet turned over the body to the family.

Smith, who was well known in the community, is not related to another shooting victim George Smith, who succumbed to his injuries earlier Sunday evening in Paul’s Avenue.