NO one in Drewsland could say conclusively why 38 year-old Andrew Stephens was shot dead yesterday in broad daylight.

Some persons speculated that the brutal murder was driven by envy. But his mother, Hazel, could utter no more than three haunting words: “Them kill Andrew, them kill Andrew,” through heaving sobs.

Stephens, a licensed firearm holder, was shot three times by two armed gunmen, who pounced on him as he conducted business on Davidson Crescent. The murderers did not get his gun as he was unarmed at the time of the attack.

According to Corporal Troy Anderson of the Constabulary Communication Network, Stephens was attacked at approximately 10:00 am by two gunmen, who pumped shots into his right ear, chest and head.

He died on the spot. The St Andrew South Homicide team, who are investigating the murder, recovered two 9mm and two .45 spent shells, from the crime scene. The police also say they are following strong leads into the killing.

Residents at the death scene told the Observer that Stephens was speaking to a man when he was attacked. They said that Stephens’ attackers did not rob him, as the police were able to take his wallet and other possessions.

“Bigga Ford search him and take him things dem. The man dem nuh rob him. Me nuh know whe make dem kill him cause him never walk and trouble people,” one resident, who refused to be identified, said.

Stephens’ murder has left six children fatherless, and a seventh, expected in a few weeks, will never know its father. Stephens is also survived by seven siblings.

Yesterday, at Stephens’ Cooreville Gardens home, his wife, who is eight months pregnant, cried uncontrollably.

His 70 year-old father, Altiman, blamed envy for his son’s untimely demise.

“Him work very hard. Them just hate him. Them don’t take off nothing off him, just shot him and gone. Him go over there fi take up some zinc,” the senior Stephens said.

Another man who claimed to have known Stephens for years, agreed with the dead man’s father. “Is a man go on like him independent you know, and like him rich. So man coulda just bad mind still. People think nuff wicked way these days,” the man said.

Stephens was born and raised in the community of Maverly. He is known to have frequented the Drewsland area where and, according to everyone who knew him and was willing to talk, he was well known in both areas. The Observer has also learnt that Stephens had been working on the wharves with his truck for 17 years.