(Jamaica Gleaner) The sound of bullets ripping through their loved one and the wails following their impact will forever scar the memory of relatives and residents of Brockery, Christiana, who recalled Wednesday’s shooting death of 14-year-old Deshawn Ashley.
According to reports, at approximately 8 p.m., Deshawn was at a shop in the community with his 17-year-old cousin, among others, when his father drove to the location to pick him up.
As they were leaving, their path was blocked by a Toyota Axio motor car from which men alighted and opened fire, hitting the 14-year-old multiple times.
The attackers then sped off.
Deshawn was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The father escaped injury and the 17-year-old was treated at hospital.
“Him get about four or five shots. All in him knee them mash up, him shoulder, and him side … ,” said Deshawn’s grief-stricken grandmother Nassine Brown.
“Mi grandson just come down Monday to look for us and look what happen.”
Brown said that Deshawn, who lived in Kingston with his mother, regularly visited the family home in Manchester for extended periods and was already here for the approaching Christmas season.
She said on Wednesday that Deshawn and others got some Christmas work to repaint a shop.
It was after completing that job and happily heading home with extra pocket money that his life was snuffed out. His father, who had been teaching him to drive, had just given him the keys to the vehicle before the attack unfolded.
“He was still doing his online classes down here, but that Wednesday, a little lady we know asked them to come and paint out her cook shop and she give them pocket money.”
“My grandson was so kind and loving. He was such a humble person and very quiet … If he wanted me to get him anything, he would say ‘My lovey-dovey grandma, the sweetest grandma, can I get this?’ And I would give it to him. I won’t ever hear those words again.”
Murders have fallen by more than 20 per cent, from 39 to 31, year-on-year up to November 29. Shootings have plunged by 37 per cent, from 49 to 31.
The Tarrant High student is said to have had his eyes set on becoming a policeman to fight the very types of attackers who caused his demise.
“You could see it on him, on his (stature). He looked just like an officer … ,” the boy’s grandmother said.
Brown said Deshawn’s maternal grandmother has hurting since the deadly attack.
“She said she doesn’t think his mother will make it. … Imagine, it’s the one child she have and this happen. She pet and pamper him and she love him so much,” she told The Gleaner.
Brown, who is hypertensive, is also worried about how she will handle the tragic death as time progresses.
“The whole community in shock, we can’t eat. … I love him so much and I will never see him again,” she said.
