Prayers for critically wounded Voicemail singer

Entertainer shot multiple times by gunmen

BY COREY ROBINSON Observer staff reporter robinsonc@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

SEVERAL persons, including key figures in the entertainment industry, yesterday gathered in Half-Way-Tree, the St Andrew capital, to pray for their colleague Oneil Edwards.

Edwards, a member of the popular group Voicemail, was shot multiple times as he entered his Belloc Avenue home in Duhaney Park, Kingston at approximately 1:00 yesterday morning.

He was rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital where -- up until press time last night -- his condition was listed as critical.

Edwards' neighbours said he was hit in the back of the head by one of the bullets.

"I just really hope that he makes it, trust me," said one woman who, along with other residents, had gathered outside the singer's home.

"Him never look good this morning; it look very serious. I am just praying that he will pull through," continued the woman, who said Edwards was found lying in a pool of blood in his backyard.

There was speculation that the gunmen may have attempted to rob the singer, as two men were seen running from the area following the explosions.

As news of the shooting spread yesterday, a handful of entertainers and well-wishers gathered outside the Nelson Mandela Park in Half-Way-Tree and prayed for the entertainer.

Many openly condemned the shooting.

"The incident was not called for, and I definitely disrespect anyone who feel that they should shoot an artiste for no reason," said dancehall entertainer Beenie Man, whose correct name is Moses Davis.

"If it is a robbery, all you have to do is show us a gun because whatever it is we can get it back. You never had to shoot the man," he added.

Singers Tami Chynn and Alaine said they were hopeful Edwards would recover.

"It's just very sad. I can't believe that this has happened. Oneil is one of the nicest and most positive people you will ever meet on any given day and we are really praying for him and his family that he will pull through," Chin said.

"Oneil is my friend, a wonderful person, who I love and it broke my heart when I got the news. But I am a believer in the power of God and His power is working; Oneil is going to be healed," Alaine added.

Entertainer Mr Vegas offered: "It's something that touches everybody because it's the whole Voicemail crew, not only Oneil. We come out here this morning to keep this prayer meeting because only God answers prayer, and the only thing we can do right now is pray."

According to Delamar and Renegade, members of the dancehall duo RDX, Edwards' shooting should serve as a wake-up call for all entertainers.

"This could happen to anyone of us and it goes to show that it shouldn't take things like this for artistes to unite," said Renegade. "Entertainers are 'bad-minding' each other and feel it is a joke thing, not knowing that there are elements working against us artistes."

Sound system selector Foota Hype said Edwards "is a vibrant supporter of dancehall".

"Wherever I'm playing he is always there and it is really sad to hear this. But I know he will pull through; he is a good person with a good heart."

Recording artiste Tifa added: "He is not in violence, he is always encouraging artistes, lending a helping hand, so it's just sad. But the prayers don't stop here for him."

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COMMENTS (22)

Jack Man
5/11/2010

Here is a reason why Vybz and Movado and all the other entertainer who promote ganster life and violence should cease and spread love and peace in there music..it will not only be good for Jamaica, but it might also be good for them in the rest of the world.

John John
5/11/2010

shot in the back of the head? Doesn't sound like a good ending is possible.
What would happen if the police and JDF declare war on a garrison community?
Go house to house, door to door, just like in Iraq and eradicate all the bad men?
The fear mongers amongst us will say that the bad boys will retaliate and shoot up the place, killy plenty of innocent people, wreak havoc, .........
My response? LET THEM.
If the choice is between living in 'bad man peace' or under the rule of law, I chose the latter.
Let the war between the gunmen and the law start today.
My money is on Jamaica.
bruce - if I wanted to live where malitias controlled my life I would move to Iraq. Whats your excuse?
bruce - if I wanted to live where the baddest of the bad man control my life, I would go to prison.
Anyway, best wishes for Edwards even though I don't know him.
Jamaica is under a bad omen. A bad spell.
His name is bruce.

Johoune Baccular
5/11/2010

Who is next? I am pleading to all Jamaicans, we have reached the end of our rope, we have to do something. Let's take back Jamaica from the hands of politicians and criminals. Law abiding citizens who have positive visions for our beautiful Jamaica, we need to take a stand. We need to be a united force as a people to combat the demonic criminal force that is haunting our love ones and our country on a whole and destroying them. We need to rise to the occasion whatever it takes with God help. This is too much now. UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL. Jamaica is divided by politics mainly. The blame game and the pointing of fingers not helping. They all play o part of corrupting Jamaica. We need our children to enjoy their youth. Please, Please, Please Jamaicans Let us Help ourselves, since we need this beautiful country to be a place to live, work, raise our families and do business!

Wayne L
5/11/2010

It is unfortunate that this happened to this young man. In fact, this should not happen to anyone. However, we must realize that for things to change, we ourselves need to change. I tell you this, most Jcans know a criminal, a corrupt official, a corrupt cop. But they are not telling because they benefit from the criminality. If those that are encoraging these behavior start saying NO emphatically, the isolation will cause them to change. We call on government to fix the problem but we refuse to pay taxes. Won't government need to hire more police to saturate the streets? I say we need approximately 1 police for every 40 citizens and these police need approximately 30,000 mobile units to effectively control the crime situation. Sometimes all we need is a deterent not an apprehension. A law officer not more than 10mins away would stem the tide.

Gee Whiz
5/11/2010

Violence seems to be the order of the day in J'ca. Reiterating what everybody has said. We need to speak out against this. We are killing each other for no apparent reason. We are our greatest enemies bcuz of fear in matters such as this.
The group Voice Mail has put out nothing but songs to encourage dancing, but what about the other entertainers? How has their music impact the lives of the younger generation? Wasn't it one of them that said "man mek the music, music don't mek the man?" Then why are our youths fighting over "gully/gaza". Why is it that every young person feels they must get a Clarks? We need to stop this madness. We need to stop accepting all the crap some of them give us in the name of music. I say "we" bcuz unless "we" do something about it then "we" are no different.
I am a staunch believer of prayer, but Faith without works is dead. Life & death is on the power of the tongue & "we" reap the fruits thereof.

Brian Sale
5/11/2010

Take this any way you want, but what does Beenie Man mean by "... and I definitely disrespect anyone who feel that they should shoot an artiste for no reason"? And what about the rest of us? They live in Jamaica, why does he think that the so called shottas would give them preferential treatment?
All that aside, I hope he makes a speedy a full recovery, that the artistes realize that they are not exempt from bullet collection and stop glorifying the what's wrong with the country.

Chester Phillips
5/11/2010

I hope the best for Oneil. It is very unfortunate that it takes this incident for the dancehall artiste to realise that :bigging up shottas is insane. The dancehall is where these evil people get their respect. The artiste selfishly big them up and collect a big cheque without thinking for a second the mayhem and brutality these people bring to our society. Next time one of them decide to ' big up a shotta', please remember what goes around comes around.

KING DAVID
5/11/2010

Dudus is accused of conspiring to import guns to Jamaica and export drugs to the USA. therefore, he's wanted by the US. I presumed he is responsible the drug crave by every college students, Wall street executives, Presidents (Clinton admits smoking a joint) derange wives who murdered a bus load of kids under the influence.The great California drug appetite..ect Therefore he's to be held accountable for all these misery afflicting the American population. SO HE's WANTED. OK! anyone blaming the US for shortsightedness for not taking responsibility? Now The PrimeMinster claims that 70% of the Guns came out of the USA. thats old story, because the previous Government had tried asking the US for help in that regards and was rebuffed. did anyone remember? Then how is it no one in the USA is been sought for dumping guns in JAMAICA? I think Mexico is having the same concern. several of these Guns in Jamaica, were deliberately sent to destabalized Jamaica in the 70's they are still here. ??

Mark Francis
5/11/2010

It is sad what has happened to Oniel or any other citizen of Jamaica. What is appalling about this situation is that people/artist will cry foul when it hits home. How many adults/children are murdered daily & no artist has never spoken out. Arist need to realize that young adults do listen to and look up to them. everyone keeps in their shell until they see it can happen to them too. there are artist in this country that will uplift & stay away from the bad eggs while others even though having a good heart will continue to work with other artist knowing full well they are corrupt & evil. I hope the REAL Artists will now take it to the bad eggs & say to them we will no longer work with you more so they will now try to lead the assault on the government & opposition to start the change this country needs. maybe when a few government officials or their family members are gunned down the poli-tics-ians will stop being in bed with gunmen/thieves/druggist/etc & put a stop to this madne

anguish of being
5/11/2010

Unfortunately this is nothing new here. Bob was shot, Rita was shot, Peter was shot. "Jamaica is a place next to hell" - Marcus Garvey

devon honeywell
5/11/2010

What is the so call prime minister doing about crime and violence in Jamaica. Good god Mr Bruce do something no man and stop being such a "stool pigeon" help us man Jesus.Your certainly not what you said you were you cant lead this country, my country out of it's present status, just resigns and let someone else lead who is not afraid.

KING DAVID
5/11/2010

Every situation similar to this is sad...what is even perplexing is the wide spread apathy shown towards these level of violence by the Government, Private Sector and sections of population. where is the Jamaica for Injustice? what's there agenda, How many funerals have they attended to see the grief and anger of the families of the decease. Are these so called In-Human Rights Groups self serving, or is there other underlying agendas.
I know situation in Jamaica is horrendous, However, this doesn't justify the call for outside intervention. remember the words of the wise brother Malcolm X." It's like a asking the fox to guard the Hens in fear of the wolf. But at the end of the day , they both have the Hens for dinner". before anyone suggest outside intervention, take a look at Iraq. There's no Interest (oil, or minerals ) in Jamaica that the USA or Europe is interested in. Take a look on Slavery? In addition, as you'll know, most of these Guns came through the US ports. ??

Doug Campbell
5/11/2010

I am hoping that this tragedy will serve as a wake up call to those artists that lionised the so called "shottas", Dons,displaying their guns on you-tube and calling for the deaths of Informers and babylon.This crime monster in Jamaica can be tamed tomorrow if the citizens get involved and report criminal activities when they see it. Recently in New York a tragedy was averted in Times Square by an alert citizen or informer as he would be called in Jamaica.

The Emperor
5/11/2010

back in the day (and this is not too far back) entertainers and sports personalities would be able to cross any divide without fear of violence. someone would readily identify you "wha yu a say balla"/ "wha gwaan mi dj", and you would be lauded with gifts rather than peppered with bullets. sad to see this happening to an entertainer in his own neighborhood- sad that this has to happen to anyone anywhere on our paradise island.
a lot has changed in a relatively short period of time and we have to fix it. a wise person once told me that to effect macro changes you must start with micro changes. lets start with each other, talk to the people close to you; your family members your close friends- people who you know you can get through to. they will in turn reach out to the ones close to them, and so forth and so on. as simplistic as it might sound, it may prove to be the most effective tool we can use right now.
love is the answer and love is the way, spread some love today
blessed love

JONATHAN PORTER
5/11/2010

This is such a sad event even though it happens in jamaica 10, 15 times each day and on most occasion
more evil and brutal, Any way if the artists wants to really make a difference any time they go on stage they should denounce bad men and gun men and let them know that they are fools and idiots and there's no place for them in their fan base. Artists have to stop glorifying the gun and the bad men,i just hope this young man make so he could identify the animals that did this because if they don't get they are going to do the same thing to somebody else.

otis grant
5/11/2010

nothing consequential will be done, its just another 9-day wonder. wait til it touches the politicians personally or a white tourist.

Desmond Tutu
5/11/2010

First and foremost, let me extend my symphaty to Oneil and his family and to wish him a speedy recovery.
Sometimes in life it really takes one of your own child to suffer for you to feel the pain. It is nice that all these djs and dancehall fratenities are showing their support for a fallen bredren, however, these are the same individuals who continues to dj/sing or play these songs telling you how to "make duppy", who has the bigger guns, endorsing the criminal dons, etc etc. When will these entertainers realise that they have a vulnerable audience that is hanging onto their every words. Any 3 year old child in Jamaica can recite the "daggering or dutty wine" song. People live what they learn.I am all for freedom of speech, however, if what you said in public or is broadcast publicly, is an endorsement of voilence against society then you should be fine severely, send to jail and permanently ban from such activities.
It is not unlike God to use a good guy like Oniel's misfortune.

Anthony II
5/11/2010

Re: "...and the only thing we can do right now is pray."
.
First off, as expressed in another post, my sympathies go out to the young man, his family, friends, and community. No, praying is not the only thing that you can do. You can march further up the road to Jamaica House and let the occupants know that you will not move until they START TAKING ACTION against those that are waging war against you. That is part of what you hired them to do.
.
You all need to rise up against these forces of evil that are in your midst, and with all due respects to those who pray and believe in the power of prayer, I am sure that the person to whom you are praying would also want you to get off your knees and take a stand against the evildoers in your midst. Drive them from your communities, in much the same way that you can drive out other groups.

Chuck Emanuel
5/11/2010

What is so disturbing, is that we the law-abiders are paying the salaries of Government Leaders who use their time to cajole, aid, abet, hug up and provide free legal services for drug pushers and criminals.
Additionally, there are apologists for these criminal loving Leaders who will say "how is the U.S. going to help our defenseless citizens, we do not need their help because all they have to do is tell the police " ?.
What idiocy ?. Imagine a country that has over 15,000 citizens murdered the last 10 years do not need outside help ?.
Again, citizens should call up, send emails and write to the U.S. Representative asking for protection from narco-traffickers, kidnappers, contract killers, rapists, murderers, extortionists, terrorists and gun-runners.
You cannot even trust the apologists because they would like no better than things remain the way they are.

God Bless
5/11/2010

I wander if these artiste will continue to show boat guns on youtube and unleash violence through the air waves? Well this is a wake up call to music industry that life and death is in the power of the tongue. Use your mouths to speak life over your country the life you save may just be your own.

Ruth McCalla
5/11/2010

Nice to hear all these sentiments and prayers for an entertainer. Its time these entertainers and Dejays wake up and realize that their music are taken seriously by elements in our society as a consented means to commit hienous crimes. May this be a warning and eye opener to alll that what you sow is what you reap. It is such a pity that it happened to this wonderful KC old boy. He was a leader and an philosopher in his own rights. I haven't heard from the famous Movada, Bounty, Vybez Cartel. They have gone all mumb now. Jamaican Government wake up from your slumber and smell the coffe is burnt to cinder...

5/11/2010

Well, the volience has now come full circle and the police and the GOJ is completely helpless.
Citizens are yourself to protect life and property as the police cannot help you.
Who next - The politicians ?

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