Father of two shot dead at Upper New Montrose

Janice Alexander and Winso May, the mother and stepfather of murder victim Jlani ‘Fatman’ Alexander, say that they miss the 26-year-old very much, as he was extremely helpful and good to them.

Alexander, a father of two, was gunned down at Upper New Montrose at 9:20 p.m.{{more}} on Monday.

His parents say that he was at his girlfriend’s home in Questelles, but left after receiving a phone call.

Speaking to the SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday from her home at Plan, Arnos Vale, Janice said that her son, who would have celebrated his 27th birthday on September 2, was a very good son to her and she is shocked by the way he died.

“….he was a nice son, once he was home, he would clean the yard, do anything,” said Janice, who learnt of her son’s demise at around 11 p.m. Monday night, by way of a phone call from one of her daughters who lives in Tortola.

“I just started crying. I can’t hold up, I didn’t sleep last night; my son, he was loving to me and he used to tend to us,” said Janice.

Winso also described his stepson as an extremely helpful and loving person who would farm and do other things.

“He was a helpful guy and I never know him to be in any trouble. I don’t understand how this happen,” said May who has known Jlani for over 14 years and considers himself the dead man’s father.

May said that when they received the call that Jlani had been shot, he went to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) to enquire and was told that no gunshot victim had come in that night. He said that further enquiries took him to the Eveready Funeral Home in Frenches where Jlani’s body was taken as the morgue at the MCMH was “not working”.

The bereaved man said that he went to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and was told by a police officer that it seems as if Jlani was beaten and then blasted by shotgun projectiles that struck him on the left side of his chest and face.

He added that investigations are ongoing, but initial reports indicate that after being shot, Jlani ran a few feet before falling and succumbing to his wounds. Winso added that the dead man’s pockets were turned out and some of his possessions were missing.

“I can’t sleep from since 11 last night, I didn’t sleep.

“When my brother died, I never cry so. Nobody could say anything bad about him and what was he killed for? We don’t know. I really feel for him.”

Jlani, the last of Janice’s five children is the second murder victim here for 2016.

“I don’t understand, this is really shocking. My son takes care of me,” said Janice while fighting to hold back tears as her phone rang.

Lindon Richards of Villa Flat, who said that he knew Jlani for over seven years also described him as a very good person.

“He was always fun to be around, always smiling and would make you happy if you are sad. Those are the things that make you know you don’t have a friend, but a brethren. He like making jokes. He was a gentleman; helpful at home and to others. I’m being honest, this is like my eulogy to him,” said Richards who stressed that he has never heard anyone speak anything bad about Jlani.

Police say Alexander died as a result of a gunshot wound to his left shoulder as well as injuries to his head about 9:20 p.m. A post mortem examination is expected to be carried out on Alexander’s body to determine the cause of death. Investigations are continuing.(LC)