Residents of Murray’s Village were startled by what some described as “automatic gunfire” last week Thursday night, March 11, a discharge of bullets that left this country with its seventh homicide for 2021 and a “serious bodily harm” injury.

When the shooting stopped, one man, Nekeita “Cheeks” Roberts was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) where he was pronounced dead, having been hit about his body with multiple gunshots while another man, Glenroy Isaacs, was shot in the leg and survived.

Police say they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting which occurred in the vicinity of the Revival Centre Church at about 11:15 p.m.

A resident said both men were at the shop hanging out when gunmen drove up and opened fire, hitting Roberts and Isaacs.

The resident who spoke on condition of anonymity is of the opinion that the men were after Roberts, and Isaacs was caught in the cross fire.

The resident said Roberts was a known troublemaker in the area who was seen with a firearm on many occasions and would boldly tell persons that there were men who wanted him dead.

“He would sometimes walk up to vehicles to see who in them and couple times he would have a gun,” the resident said, adding that on the day Roberts died he had a firearm which he broke down in pieces.

“He throw the pieces on a shop counter and asking the men which one could put it back together,” the resident claimed.

Another resident commented that Roberts was a person of interest in several incidents in the area including murder, and the discharging of firearms that would sometimes startle residents at nighttime.

A few months ago, the 26 year old father of one, then employed as a watchman, complained to the press that police officers were harassing him.

The police is asking persons with information that can assist with this investigation to contact the Assistant Commissioner in charge of crimes at 1-784-456-1339,  the officer in charge of the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) at 1-784-456-1810, or any police station or police officer with whom they are comfortable.