Brutal murders - churchman among latest victims

5 year-old girl, churchman among latest victims

BY HORACE HINES AND COREY ROBINSON Observer staff reporters

Friday, April 30, 2010

A five-year-old girl and a church deacon were among the Jamaicans murdered yesterday as gunmen continued wanton killings across the island, pushing the murder toll to almost 530 in just four months.

The life of five-year-old Christiana Salmon was cut short by trigger-happy gunmen while her dad was taking her and her elder sister to school early in the morning. Her sister, 9, was shot and injured.

The marauding gunmen, the police reported, peppered Christopher Salmon's Rover motor car with bullets while he drove along Felicity Road in the dreaded crime-plagued community of Glendevon.

Salmon, who was shot in the mouth and neck, drove the car with his blood-drenched daughters to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where Christiana was pronounced dead, and he and the other child were treated. Their conditions were said to be serious.

Salesman Uton Johns, a resident of Felicity Road in St James, was earlier cut down by armed men, also in Glendevon.

Salmon, a resident of Rose Heights, was apparently caught in a roadblock mounted by residents of Glendevon who were protesting against Wednesday's police killing of Donavon Campbell and Gary Hines, both of Glendevon, who were said to be among 15 gunmen who engaged the police in a firefight.

The protest forced the shutdown of three schools -- Albion Primary and Junior High, Green Pond Primary, and Green Pond High.

In the meantime, the churchman, Michael Dixon, a member of the Lighthouse Assembly Worship Centre on Garbally Drive in Spanish Town, was murdered at his home in the Arlington Housing Scheme along March Pen Road, a tough community in the old capital.

Police said his body was found lying beside his bed about 5:30 yesterday morning.

There were unconfirmed reports that the young deacon was saying morning prayers when his life was cut short by the blood-thirsty gunmen who shot him in the face and upper body.

Police investigators said the gunmen gained entry to Dixon's house by climbing through a window.

Yesterday, a handful of Dixon's church sisters and brothers gathered at the Lighthouse Assembly Worship Centre, after hearing the news of his murder.

"Pastor Michael would not hurt a soul. He is the type of person who, as you say hello to him, he would reply "hanging on" and immediately give you a word of encouragement," said Kevin Astin, as tears welled-up in his eyes.

"Such a man did not deserve to die like that," said Shelly Schooler, acting secretary at the church.

Dr Andrew Wheatley, the mayor of Spanish Town, in condemning the murder of the churchman, said it showed that "everyone is a potential victim" of violence in the country.

"That man was involved in almost all of the crime reduction initiatives (in Spanish Town); 10,000-Man March, everything. I really can't believe he was killed like that," said the mayor, who said he had met with Dixon at several peace initiatives in Spanish Town.

The Lighthouse Assembly Worship Centre has, for several years, been involved in a number of community outreach and skills-training programmes for the youth and less fortunate, as well as peace initiatives, in the Spanish Town area.

Shortly after 8:00 yesterday morning, while police were processing the scene where the deacon was shot dead, they were summoned to the nearby Westchester Housing Scheme in Duncan's Pen, where gunmen chased and shot dead 21-year-old Shamar Elliot while he was riding his bicycle to work.

A number of the slain man's co-workers from the salt factory cried openly when they looked at his lifeless body on the ground in the community which he lived.

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COMMENTS (24)

8/9/2010

Corruption kills, murder would never stop. 2 many lowbreed followers not enough upfull leaders. Kill the head and the body dead, but for every 1 removed, 7 appear.....Beware

4/30/2010

getting rid of these GUNMAN need to start from the MOTHERS SISTER BABYMOTHERS first a lot of them know wats happingbut say nothing because it does not affect us start from there and things will get better

Paul Lewis
4/30/2010

We dont need demonstrations or Crime Bills..we have long passed that. We need the Police and the ceremonial " Army " to be unleashed on these animals. It is remarkable how 2.9 million people can be held hostage by 2,000 clowns. The solution is simple...turn the pressure on them...root them out from stem to stern...let their families and communities weep for them as we weep for the innocent. All the Criminal Rights people if you cant take the heat ...leave the Kitchen..for is frying time now and the oil is hot. We cannot be bothered with niceties...we have been cowering under the bed for too long...we need to come out and take charge.

Steve Miller
4/30/2010

How can Jamaicans share their comments and pour out their outrage on this forum, when the censorship by the Editor is tantamount to the suppression of FREE SPEECH??
For far too long, we as the poor, suffering masses in this Island have been abused by the politicians on both sides by their murderous gun tooting henchmen. Those of us who can remember the killings of 1976 to 1980 can testify to the political corruption and association of these disgusting, evil hypocrites.
But mark my words, GOD will not be mocked or deceived and their day will soon be here and they will suffer the wrath of God.

Yard Vibz
4/30/2010

One of our regular Posters, an ex-cop, who consistently brags about his stint as a member of the now defunct Ranger squad, has suggested in another paper that today’s gunmen can be dealt with by revisiting the strategies used in the demise of Natty Morgan, Sandakan, Claude Massop and Burry Boy. What the ex-cop does not realize, is the fact that in the era of the aforementioned men, the existence of high-powered weapons on the Island was only visible in someone’s dream. Today though, teenagers, and in some instances, preteens are fully trained, skilled and equipped with Simi-automatic weapons, and dem nuh fraid fi buss dem, all inna middle day. So what is the solution(s)? Firstly, we have to find a way to prevent the influx of illegal guns & ammunitions to our shores, and secondly, whenever police are privileged enough to gather intelligence through citizens, the target(s) should be apprehended, interrogated (mek dem call dem fren names) and face the court of law. Peace out!

josh davis
4/30/2010

one of my friends was killed last night,he is not included in the 11 murdered yesterday.
so sad.nobody cares about the normal people,i guess we have to start caring for ourselves as these criminal and their protectors wreck havoc on our communities..

anthony davis
4/30/2010

The p.n.p and j.l.p. government, allow gunmen to take over the island partially.,and if it continue on the same trend , they will gradually take over fully.
Anyway if the government want to cut the gun crime by eighty percent,in few months,the only thing can be done,is to pass a law in parliament,to cut off the index and middle fingers of all persons found with illegal firearm.
This will prevent the nasty coward freaks from handling the trigger to kill children and innocent adults.

george watson
4/30/2010

COME ON JAMAICANS FOR jUSTICE, LET US SEE WHAT STUFF YOU ARE MADE OF. YOU HAVE GOT TO SHOW US THAT YOU ARE NOT ONLY INTERESTED IN PROTECTING THE CRIMINALS.
ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LOSE A CHILD IF ONE HAS NOT. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES AS IT IS FOR HUNDREDS OF JAMAICANS, THEN IT MUST SURELY BE HELL.

Winston G
4/30/2010

The BIGGEST problem we have is that ALL OF US (including myself) have NO CLUE how to solve this problem. When murderers have no sympathy for children - and when leaders and the citizens have NO CLUE how to solve the problem. Jamaica has gone to the dogs. By the way, Mister Green, the "crime bills" will not work. We have been trying the same things for decades and THEY AINT WUKKING.

John John
4/30/2010

Perception.
When you have the prime minister of a country going to bat for a don, what kind of message do you think that is sending to the street thugs?
Yes, the message is: CRIME PAYS.
If I kill a little more, rape a little more, burn down a little more, stab a little more, sell a little more , buy a bigger gun, kill a pastor, kill a child then I too can become a don. Then I too can become friends with top politicians. Then I too can become the don dadda.
Murderer blood is on your shoulder, you can kill I today but you can't kill I tomorrow......
There is blood on some politicians hands.
I wonder how they sleep at night.

LLoyd LLoyd
4/30/2010

What the hell is going on in Jamaica? PEOPLE, we need to unite against crime NOW! PEOPLE, let’s all form an island neighborhood watch and bring any and all information to the police about these murderers. The government of Jamaica needs to step up and address this quickly. This is not a good image we are presenting to our children and the world. The Jamaican government needs to invest more in our police to weed out corruption and put more police on the streets. The people of Jamaica are our only hope to get these murderers of our streets. We should not be intimidated, let’s unite to bring back Jamaica, the land we love.

C. Brown
4/30/2010

Sick! Illiterate and fool fool people dem protest when police kill gunmen, but when gunmen kill innocent people them just sit back and say a nuh fi dem business. Real back a wall, dem worse than animals. Also, where is the outrage from the politicians? You don't hear any politicians saying nothing. Bruce and Portia, my god, do something. Pass the crime bill and send out the army, now, now..... Mo bay and most of Jamaica gone to the dogs....

Mister Green
4/30/2010

Pass the Crime bills now!!! we should force both the PNP and JLP to pass the crime bills NOW!! stop playing politricks!! babies are now being murdered!!! We need a North Korean style government to control these criminals

winston mills
4/30/2010

Can someone tell me why the people of Jamaica are not showing their outraged -- OPENLY, the same say do they when "DONS" are killed by police?
When are we going to see Golding, Simpson-Miller, Minister of National Security, PNP Spokesman of National Security and the Commissioner of Police walking together against crime, sitting at the same news/press conference? The people needs to see the elected/government-appointed officials on the same stage showing their outrage
Rather, what we have seen constantly over the years is the Opposition (PNP/JLP) attempts to score political points when it comes to the crime monster.
And to complicate matter, the political fools in the country keep electing the same people to represent them.
Wake up Jamaica!!! Take back the country from the corrupt politicians, the criminals with no regard for humanity and the so called community "DONS"
A few innocent lives may have to be sacrificed in the process.
Then we can say "FREE AT LAST"

tickyticky fish
4/30/2010

Mista Observer, When mi post mi comment of what di Government fi do with dem TERRORISTS yuh no post dem.

A MARINE D
4/30/2010

WHERE IS JAMAICA FOR INJUSTICE? WHEN THE POLICE KILLED A MURDERER, YOU ARE OUT THERE PROTESTING, WHEN THE MURDERERS THAT YOU REPRESENT KILLS THE INNOCENT, THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM YOU. WHY IS IT THAT YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS OUT THERE DEMONSTRATING? THIS I SNOT THE JAMAICA WE GREW UP IN AND LOVE. THE MARINES ARE READY AND WAITING FOR THE ORDER OORRAAHHHHHHHHHHH. SEMPER FI

Richard Edwards
4/30/2010

Jay Brown I am not too sure if angry is the word, but In cand definately feel your anger as I read your post. jay it is never going to end. Just last week I friend of mine was killed in Red Hills, at a place calledl Look out, her death never made the news. The death toll being reported as 530 is a joke it is more like 630. Lke I said I was at KPH in April this year I staked out there for two days just to see the victims that were coming in, many did not make it out, they died there. I hardly think they were counted as a part of the statistics. The sad truth is, it is NEVER going to end, not until certain persons start dying. Unitl then Jay Brown, I join you as you mourn for a beautiful country we all love. To the innocent five year old who died, please go on to a better place, her country failed her. May her little soul rest in peace. (Tears) It's so hard to watch this happen. Save our children, pleeeease!
Richard Edwards. NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

wesley Henry
4/30/2010

It is a shame that gunmen have taken over these areas. Hear are my suggestions for a possible solution:
1. Do like what Chile did, They drafted every 17 or 18yr old for 2 yrs that did not have a job prospect or were not going on to further education and and temporarily increased the security forces. This took the wood be killers off the streets & taught them proper discipline. Secondly it increased the security forces temporarily so that they had man power 24/7's. Thirdly many of the young kids learned trades. This is like the "youth service" in the 1970's except this time they would concentrate on letting them join the army and the army in turn help the police in the hotbed places of the island. Another way is to temporarily draw officers from the more peaceful areas and put them in the hotbed areas until they calm down. Lastly they can do what US does, use contract workers. There are many security guards on the island. Train them & use them with the police when needed.

critical thinker
4/30/2010

I still cannot cool down yet. I have just ordered air strikes against the 'community' of Glendenvon.

. Observing
4/30/2010

A prayer for the innocent. When will we talk a look at ourselves and say enough is enough?

Chuck Emanuel
4/30/2010

I certainly agree that citizens has a responsibility to report crime and to cease with the shielding of known criminals and terrorists.
However, someone needs to tell us what is the role and responsibilities of this Government as it pertains to criminality, corruption and the aiding and abetting of allege criminals ?.
Why are they there ?. How can they solve the problem of corruption and criminality ?

critical thinker
4/30/2010

We in Jamaica still think that the police is the problem? The painful evidence is definitely saying otherwise. So gunmen can just shoot up a car driven by a dad carrying his kids to school? And that dirty community named Glendenvon is allowed to get away with this? You got be joking.

4/30/2010

Neutral Justice: Says,
This is not only senseless its stupid. Taking the life of a Jamaican pastor or peace driven humble person like this will surely cause mounmental problems for these scums. God's revenge is far reaching, and i am calling all people of faith come together and pray to God the father to strike the wicked, give no mercy father, let them pay in a way that the whole world will rejoice in their demise. It will be done and it shall be done, I Neutral Justice call upon the almighty God to revoke their lives of these killers whom have decended on my God fearing country, let the spirit of death be swept into these cowards who murdered your God fearing children, let these bastards be afraid let them be afraid o mighty God through your son Jesus Amen so let it be. I am so disturbed and pi..ed at these dumb men and women who hurt our children and laugh, drink beer, and smoke drugs thinking that they are bad asses. As of NOW BE AFRAID GUMMEN OUR FAITH WILL LEAD GOD TO YOU ALL.

Jay Brown
4/30/2010

This is why some parts of Jamaica is such A CESSPOOL to manage. The demonstrator were protesting the killing of an alleged "gunman" or "gunmen"
The residents had staged a demonstration in support of their fallen soldiers.
A innocent man trying to get to his job and his children educated, was shot by these animals aka demonstrators - who wanted justice for the fallen solider.
Now " I want justice" for the innocent five yr old who was murdered in front of her loving dad.
DO NOT expect the community to support this father and child - they only support gunmen.
Glendevon - we shall remember this faithful day, and when in a couple of months these animals turn against you, do not expect my support or any support from the rest of law abiding Jamaicans.
You would have been reaping from the rotten tree you all planted months before.
I am angry - very angry.
Animals have taken over Jamaica.

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Brutal murders - churchman among latest victims