BRUTAL! - Crippled 80-year-old pastor’s throat slashed

‘We’ve lost a great father and friend’

BY OSHANE TOBIAS Observer writer

Monday, March 07, 2011

DENBIGH, Clarendon - An elderly clergyman was brutally murdered yesterday, while mourners at the church that he had served for years awaited the arrival of his son, also a pastor, to officiate at a funeral service in Race Track, Clarendon.

The mourners while waiting to hear the sermon of Rev Samuel Anderson's son however, found out in a gruesome way about the cause of the delay, as news broke that the elder Anderson had been found at home with his throat slashed.

Anderson, who family members said was in his 80s, was ill at the time of the incident and was unable to walk, after suffering a stroke several months ago.

There were limited details of the murder, as police gave nothing away yesterday, but Anderson's daughter-in-law Rose Anderson said that family members and friends of the slain man were told about the murder while they were at church.

"I was at church and got the news that they break in the house and killed (stabbed) him," a distraught Anderson told the Observer.

"He can hardly move around by himself. He has to uses a stroller, so everybody is confused right now," she added. "It's just unbelievable because he has been living here for years and is so good to everybody. We don't know why somebody would do something like this," she said.

Anderson's illness had kept him from normal pastoral duties at the International Evangelical Mission Ministries Church, located just a stone's throw away from his house, but it was evident that he continued to command the respect of his flock - young and old - many of whom wept openly upon hearing of his untimely death.

Greg Smith, councillor/caretaker for the Denbigh division, who was among of the mourners, also condemned the "gruesome attack on the elderly man.

"What has happened to us today is a major disappointment," he said. "We've lost a great father and a friend. He's so important to us in this community and he didn't deserve it.

"At this point we are very nervous and we are asking the persons involved in this crime to turn themselves into the police," Smith said, also offering condolences to the bereaved family.

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COMMENTS (29)

Andrew Lewin
3/7/2011

Jamaica, as well as many black communities in the US, Canada and the UK have a blind, dumb and deaf attitude when it comes to crime, and this hinders the police in doing their job. Remember, the police is usually at a crime scene after the fact, and they rely mainly on evidence and eyewitness reports to apprehend criminals. But see something happens to their flesh and blood and they are already on the tv and in press pleading for eyewitnesses to the crime. It sickens me!!

Andrew Lewin
3/7/2011

Brutal! Sincere condolences to the Reverend's family.
I wish to add that, most, if not all human rights organisations do not focus on crimes that are committed by one individual on another such as murder, theft, etc. Instead, their resources are directed at governments when they are involved in atrocities or when the security forces (police/soldiers) are involved or where atrocities are committed because of laws and the people take it into their own hands to be judge and jury, to name a few.

Cee Dubya
3/7/2011

Condolences to the family and friends of Pastor Anderson. May God Himself be your strength, peace and comfort throughout this time. May He hold you and embrace you and heal you in a way that only He can. I am so very sorry for your loss. Just shaking my head in utter disbelief... My God!

ann g
3/7/2011

Jesus! i have said it! Jamaica going to hell ina hand basket!!! good grief!

Marsha Downer
3/7/2011

Condolences to the Anderson family. I do not know them but i am a Jamaican. It is inhumane to see how these perpetrators of crime continue to intimidate our people by the vicious acts they carry out daily/routinely. It is sad to know that these people show no respect for another humans life. I pray that when they are collared justice will be meted out to them. It is alarming to know how selfish some of us are as citizen of jamaica-denying others the right to life. Some parents are to be blamed!!

Rusty Breeze
3/7/2011

Sonny Black you don't understand that human rights group become concerned where state agents wrong a citizen. When that happens it is not as easy for the complainant to get justice because they are appealing to the perpetrators (the same police force for example) which carried out the killing. It does not mean that human rights grps care less for people who are otherwise victims of crime!

Jade July
3/7/2011

I know Mr. Anderson and his family personally, my condolences and prayers goes out to them. I know the police will work feverishly to find out is responsible for this. Its time for us to stop See and blind and hear and deaf

Cookie Bulla
3/7/2011

I know there are lots of people who may question the apparent injustices by men and probably asking where is GOD in all of this. I say to them, there is only one who knows the end of the story and HE is JEHOVAH - The Alpha and Omega.
Also remember that this questioning GOD did not come about yesterday, it started with righteous biblical people.
See Amos, Habakkuk, et al

Cookie Bulla
3/7/2011

I am deeply saddened by the depravity in which our country has plunged. We have not realized that the senseless killing is an indication that our people have espoused murder as a way of life and this does not hold up well for Jamaica. We deny that the society in which we live is one that treats killings as an daily expectation. If 70+ people died in one single community on a single day and there wasn't a nationwide cry for answers, why do we think that a single murder will bring said event?

Andre Richards
3/7/2011

This is the most shocking news to my ears. Rev Anderson was like a father to me. I was born in his Church and grew up under his wings. I understand that the entire community of Race Track is grieving, but God will take care of the situation. I was talking about him the same day that he died and I am hurting really bad right now. I can clearly remember the last moments we shared when he encouraged me to stay strong in the Lord. I pray God’s blessings on the family as well as the I.E.M Church

Deneisha Dinnall
3/7/2011

Dean,
Cuz! This is terrible. I still cannot understand what happened here. Senseless! Heartless!
God is not asleep and I pray that the truth will be revealed.
Give me a call when you can cuz.
Love ya!...
RIP Pastor Andy... You will be missed by all who've been blessed to know you and even those who didn't get the chance. Your legacy will live on!

Sonny Black
3/7/2011

I am waiting to hear the screams of brutality coming from the holier than thou defenders of the human rights for Jamaicans. Oops i forgot to qualify for their attention you must be at least a known gunman, theif, murderer or drug addict.
A poor crippled preacher who harmed no one dosnt qualify, not to mention the teachers, nurses,higglers deacons who are robbed on buses and terrorised daily in their homes. The hypocrisy of these human rights advocates makes one blood boil.

3/7/2011

This killing appears as it is an act of revenge, as I can't think of any other reasons why another person would attack and brutally slaughter a vulnerably old man. Having said that, pastors are known to take advantage of people whom put their trust in them, so we need to keep an open mind. However I am not upholding criminality, but no mention of a robbery. what ever was the motive no one deserves to die like that.

Peter Sparks
3/7/2011

@David Armstrong: You are absoloutely correct. These organizations have picked up the virus called "liberal political correcteness" from the USA. Not everyting' farin' is good!. Is why peopple caan' learn dat' yet, eh?

Island Patriot
3/7/2011

Nick Henry, what kind of "mercy killing" could involve slashing a persons throat. I hope they do find the killer, may his family be comforted in knowing that his end in this world, means his beginning in the next in Jesus arms.

David Armstrong
3/7/2011

When the police gun down criminals who engage them in a shoot-out certain organizations and people quickly respond with charges of police brutality. Yet when
a vulnerable person like this elderly pastor is brutually murdered these same organizations and people remain silent. If they would only demonstrate their rage against such brutal murders perhaps we would have less brutal crime. It is time that all entities starting with the govternment to condemn and fight against the evil doers.

David Armstrong
3/7/2011

If this barbaric act does not get the government and people to do something to help ensure the safety of vulnerable people then I don't know what will. How can a society not show their outrage when an elderly cripled 80 y.o. pastor is brutually murdered? We have a PM who used his power to defend a thug but is not willing to defend the poor and vulnerable. The PM in a message yesterday made the comment that "You ain't see anything yet" in reference to the COE. Why can't he be tough with crime?

Deanna Walker
3/7/2011

So sad and barbaric.....comfort to his family

Bella T
3/7/2011

my prayers for the family

Nicolas Henry
3/7/2011

I know Mr Anderson personally, he was a building contractor. My condolences to his family. It's so sad he meat his death that way. The police must look into all possibilities. Could this be a mercy killing.... ? Sick things are happening all over the world, I don't think Jamaica is exempt. May his soul rest im peace. May GOD help us

mike willy
3/7/2011

This action requires the residents to demonstrate and protest against this savage murder.
Somebody must know something. I hope the police get some good lead and serve justice.

ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
3/7/2011

What a savage and barbaric land Jamaica has become , that not even a crippled and retired pastor can expire naturally. Instead, he is viciously murdered.Someone in the community must know something. Speak up Now !!

C. Brown
3/7/2011

What more can we say that we haven't already said. Until we have leaders who demonstrates to us that they are serious about fighting crime, we will continue to see more of these brutal acts.
Imagine, an 80 odd year old pastor; bwoy we really have some dogs living amongst us...

Brooklyn Jamaican
3/7/2011

Mrs Lightbourne will you see that the rights of this deceased are protected? Is INDECOMM sitting around with JFJ waiting to prosecute the Police who I hope will pump ounces of lead into these miscreants who did this dastardly deed?

Clara Brooks
3/7/2011

Thats Jamaica for you, the headlines will play a part how numb we become over such cruel killing. Lets see who gets arrested for this crime.

Dean Walters
3/7/2011

I have cried all the tears that i can cry, He was one of the most important person in my life as a young man. I am because of him the man i am today. you were not my father by blood but you treated me like your own son. this just does not make any sense. To Mama and the rest of the family keep the faith because God sees all. RIP Papa i love you.
Dean

Jay Brown
3/7/2011

My heart goes out to the grieving family. I just commented on an earlier article that as a country we fail to look out for the old and young, those that are virtually defenseless.
This story offers concrete proof of my comments, I just hope the cops will catch the animal that committed this cruel act and bring him swiftly to justice.

jody hyde
3/7/2011

My condolences to the Anderson's family. I do hope this unwanted creature who committed these heinous crime may himself put to death.

Ramon Castro
3/7/2011

All I can say, the perpetrator got to be a mentally deranged individual. Cuz no one in their right mind would have carried out this ghastly act. Plan to take my daughter home for her high school graduation gift and I am having reservation, now. What an awful way to go after 80t years!!!

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Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

BRUTAL! - Crippled 80-year-old pastor’s throat slashed