And 15 hours after Winston Baja Jones was murdered, police were once again called to East Canal Street. On Sunday morning there was another shooting which became the area's second murder in less than 24 hours after 35 year old Phillip Roches succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Here's that story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Gunshots rang out again on East Canal shortly after 11 on Sunday morning.
Voice of Mehettibelle Slusher, Area Resident
"I was in my house and when I listened, I was around my stove the cook and when I listened I heard the lot of gunshots and so when I came out and peeked I saw the lot of crowd and when I looked I saw the police came and picked up the bwoy and they took him."
The body was that of 35 year old Phillip Roches.
Mavis Flowers, Common-Law Wife of Phillip Roches
"They told me he got shot in his head, his chest, and in his hand and the one in the head, that is why he couldn't live because it went through the front and came out through the back. That is what damaged him."
Phillip Roches was fatally shot inside this yard at 120 East Canal which just happens to be the home of his close friend – Baja Jones who had been killed on Saturday night.
Voice of Max Williams Jr.,
"My lil boy was helping cleaning up the yard and thing and the
gunmen came from through the bush and just come do it to my lil bwoy."
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
"Mr. Roches was assisting in the cleaning of the yard for Mr. Jones when a lone gunman wearing a ski mask jumped the fence, I am not sure if we should say a gunman because witnesses saying it was a youth, yet they cannot establish his identity because he was wearing a ski mask, but he opened fire on Mr. Roches hitting him several times. Mr. Roches was transported to the KHMH where he succumbed to his injuries minutes later."
Keith Swift,
"Do you believe these murders are related?"
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
"We do and the investigators are trying to establish motive and are trying to link both crimes."
Keith Swift,
"You say we think they are related, in terms what, do you believe they went after another of Mr. Jones' brothers or do you believe Mr. Roches was the target?"
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood,
"That I cannot say, I would be speculating to say something like that
but that is an obvious fact that they went back to his residence. Obviously it was after one of his relatives."
In fact police concede that Phillip Roches may have been an innocent crime victim. He was a family man – dedicated to his wife and children – which is why his common law wife Mavis Flowers is searching for answers.
Mavis Flowers,
"I just want to know why they killed him because he doesn't mess with nobody and he doesn't give trouble. You could ask him for anything and once he has it, he will give you. They just took away a good man from somebody who doesn't give trouble at all and the ones who are giving trouble, they leave them right there to do nothing.
He doesn't give trouble, he stays home. He watches his kids. He is all about his family. He doesn't want anyone to tend to his kids but him. He is a family man. He doesn't dance, he doesn't go out, he doesn't do nothing. He just stays home and relax. I don't know what I will tell them when they ask me where they father is. I am still here waiting and the worry."
And while a wife worries – a community is perplexed.
Voice of Mehettibelle Slusher,
"This is too much gunshots, they have to do better than what they are doing. Too much people are being killed. The pickney are around here and it is dangerous. Government has to try and do better. The police have to try do better than what they are doing. I know if they put the police in the area then maybe they won't go off or so but no police are in the area. They just pass and go and come, that's all."
Keith Swift,
"Are you concerned for your safety?"
Voice of Mehettibelle Slusher,
"Definitely concerned because I have children and grandchildren. They have to try do better. This was big Sunday morning, a blessed morning which God gives you."
Police say the suspects in both murders are considered young teenagers.
