KENNETH “Dwayne” McKenzie, the 27 year-old nephew of Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie, was yesterday shot dead by gunmen at his home at Ladd Lane in Southside, Central Kingston.

The police’s information arm, the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), said that at approximately 12:50 am residents of Ladd Lane heard explosions and called the police. According to the CCN, shortly after the arrival of the police McKenzie’s body was found in his home, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Mayor McKenzie yesterday expressed his condolences to Kenneth’s immediate family as well as members of the extended family.

“Well, you see this thing [violence] happening around you— and when it comes closer to home it is very sad. It is a situation where all of us as a family have to be strong and try to work through it.Those persons who did the killing have to remember that there is a God,” the mayor told the Observer.

Central Kingston is represented in parliament by Victor Cummings of the ruling People’s National Party.

However, most residents of the community of Southside are staunch supporters of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Just recently the community leader, Franklyn “Chubby Dread” Allen, a supporter of the JLP was cut down in New Kingston. Allen’s death came a year after he was shot and injured at his bar on Higholborn Street. Sources from the community said the attack was carried out by a rival gang operating in Southside as “New World Order”. The gang, the source said, wanted to wrest control of the area from Allen.

It was not clear last night if the mayor’s nephew, an electrician, was involved in any political organisation in the area.

Southside has been one of the Kingston inner-city communities affected by gang violence over the years.