The body of a 16-year-old is lying in the morgue after he was killed yesterday morning. And while normally the murder of a teenager is followed by public outcry, this case is a little different, since the police's investigation is showing that Jahfeth Stamp was out for blood.
The teen was reportedly killed while attempting to carry out a crime. And in the minutes after his murder, an innocent man was also shot.
We spoke with the families of both victims, and Courtney Menzies has this story.
A gun wielding 16-year-old was fatally shot yesterday morning around 10. Japheth Stamp entered a yard on Rivero Street with the intention of pulling the trigger on the firearm he was holding. However, someone from inside the yard was quicker than Stamp, firing first, and killing the teenager.
Stamp ran down the street before finally collapsing. But the violence didn't end there. According to the Commissioner of Police, his accomplice took over the job
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Sadly yes, what the investigation is showing is that the teen was going to carry out a shooting and it so happens that those he was going after got the upper hand and he was killed. After he was killed, his partner that was with him, picked up the gun that he had and entered the Matura yard and shot one individual in the leg. The intention clearly was to kill that individual, luckily the gun snapped, and so the individual was not killed."
Reporter:
"In this case, and with the victim, it's not necessarily a murder, it would be considered more self defense?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, it could be considered self defense if those person would come forward and give their account to the police but we understand the world we live in, they may not want to do that and so we're waiting to see if that is going to happen, if they don't give their account of what transpired, then we will proceed with murder charges like we normally do."
Courtney Menzies:
"And if was self defense, but their gun was unlicensed, what happens then?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The law do have a provision for that, that if you do act in self defense with an unlicensed firearm, the DPP has the authority in law for you not to be charged for unlicensed firearm."
But if Stamp's mother had her way, it's the person who led her son astray that should pay.
Angela Lopez, Mother of Deceased
"This was my son, this little boy right here. His birthday is just a couple days from now and the way I feel that you took my son's life. I don't know why you did what you did, and who force my son, my innocent son, I won't say he's innocent but in my eyes he's innocent, he was just growing up, he didn't know better. If you are a fool and you lead somebody else, go do your mission, go be your own man, why will you put a gun in my son's hands and tell him to go shoot people instead of giving him a football to make him play? Because he's a sports child, my son goes to Wesley High, all I wanted was one more chance to give back my son an education, but I can't give him that back anymore."
"You all chance my child, I didn't mind you all beat my child up and let him go, but to kill him because you felt threatened that he came to kill you, only because the person that sent him didn't have the heart to do it himself so they used my child as a *expletive* target."
She told us today that she did her best to get her son an education, but that he still chose to hang with the wrong crowd, and that is what ultimately led to his death.
Angela Lopez, Mother of Deceased
"He didn't listen, he didn't listen anymore, like he just plugged out. And I told him everyday, you see the young man you hang with will send you to your death. I told him to leave that little boy alone, find another way to survive your life, you don't need friends."
Cherisse Halsall
"You don't know why he went after the people that shot him?"
Angela Lopez, Mother of Deceased
"No, all I know is that this young man came for my son everyday, take my son out of the house."
And in the process, a truly innocent man almost lost his life. As you heard the ComPol say before, 43-year-old Wayne Matura was also shot even though he was not involved in the gang war. Today, his cousin told us that Matura is hardworking man who must now find a way to take care of his family while recovering from the injury.
Voice of: Patrick Dougal, Cousin of Shooting Victim
"He employs people. He is not in no gang whatsoever. But because of society and the surroundings and things that are happening, it has a ripple effect."
"The youth that got shot in the back there, his mom was surprised that he got shot. My cousin, he was right here, he had his crab that he was going to catch yesterday and he had coconut oil to make yesterday. But because, just coming from right out of his yard, he did not even reach to the street and the guy just attacked him for no apparent reason."
Reporter:
"I understand the gunman chased him."
Voice of: Patrick Dougal, Cousin of Shooting Victim
"Round and round and round his vehicle, he was running for his life. now, he got shot in his foot as a hard working man with a family, now he is down, he has to stay down and heal, at the moment, he has bills, he has his family that he's worrying about."
And while Matura is awaiting a surgery, one suspect has been detained so far.
