Father wants an end to this violence

The father of a Paul’s Avenue man who was killed in what police believe to be a gang related shooting is calling on those involved in the whole matter to stop the violence.



George Smith, 30, was gunned down at around 7:45 p.m. last Sunday, May 13, in the vicinity of the Teachers’ Credit Union Book Store and the gas station at Paul’s Avenue.{{more}}

According to police reports, Smith received several gunshot injuries to his back and chest when a vehicle drove up and opened fire on him. He died shortly after being rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

David Smith told SEARCHLIGHT that he didn’t know the details of what happened but was heart-broken when he received the news that his son George had been shot.

David said that his son’s real name is Lummbo Layne.

“His grandfather couldn’t pronounce his name, so he was the one who started calling him George,” David explained with a smile on his face.

David said that he had a close relationship with his son and would miss him. He also wondered aloud if those involved in violence understood the bigger picture of their actions.

“It is not just the conflict between those involved but it also impacts on all of society, we are losing too much of our youths,” he said.

He added that when these young men are killed, children are left fatherless and parents are left grieving.

“Whatever is responsible for all this shooting and killing I wish it would just stop, somebody needs to just put an end to it and say enough is enough,” David said.

He however noted that the negative branding that is placed on Paul’s Avenue because of the recent escalation in crime isn’t fair.

“Most of us live good here, I live good with everybody, nobody interferes with me,” he said.

Police believe that George’s shooting is linked to the shooting spree that occurred three weeks ago in broad daylight in Paul’s Avenue, leaving three persons injured.

Since that shooting incident, the police have stepped up their presence in the area including the daily deployment of a mobile police unit.

Police reports also indicate that two other men were shot in Paul’s Avenue later on the same night of Smith’s death.

Colin Charles, 27, sustained gunshot wounds to his right arm and bottom and steel welder Steffon Sam, 22, of Paul’s Avenue, was shot in his upper right arm.

On Wednesday, 19-year-old Ricardo McFee of Redemption Sharpes was arrested and charged at the Serious Offences Court with wounding Sam.