DUANVALE, Trelawny – This usually quiet community was in mourning last night as residents grieved for two of their own who were murdered by armed men who invaded the community. Both were employed to the 4-H Clubs.

One of the men – Vashton Christie, also known as Kasha, 54, a justice of the peace who was employed as a property caretaker by the 4-H Clubs, was shot and his body burnt beyond recognition. The other victim, Keith Davidson, also 54, also received burns and gunshot wounds.

Both men lived on the premises of the Duanvale 4-H community centre, but occupied separate houses.

The police reported that about 12:45 am, Christie drove home and parked his motor car then retired to bed. He was awakened shortly after by Davidson, who told him that his car was on fire.

The police and fire brigade were called in and firefighters subsequently extinguished the blaze.

A police spokesman said Christie was told by cops to leave the premises for the night, but insisted on staying. Less than an hour later the police were again called by the two 4-H employees who complained that intruders were on the premises.

Police said they heard explosions during the telephone conversation, and on arrival at the premises the house where Christie lived had been torched. Davidson’s badly burnt body was found on the verandah and the charred remains of Christie found inside the burnt-out house.

Residents who gathered at the murder scene yesterday morning could hardly contain themselves.

There was a loud outburst of crying when the undertakers removed the remains of Christie from the burnt-out house.

“No, Kasha no deserve fe dead so,” one resident wailed.

Barbara Lawrence, 4-H regional co-ordinator, was in shock.

“Both of them have been diligent workers. I inherited the job with them here and I found them very nice to work with. Mr Davidson was a very steady and quiet person, very unassuming, but he gets the job done. Mr Christie especially was a community person and as a justice of the peace and he served the community more than how he serves 4-H where he works -honestly,” said Lawrence.

A shaken Sonia Seivwright, Christie’s cousin, said the deceased was known as Mr Good.

“He is always there for everybody. When you call him he is always there. Kasha is the person who tries to help everybody. When you need him he is there. I am very hurt, very sad.

“.He is always going here and going there.sharing, emceeing at weddings and the signing of papers for people.he is always there,” said Seivwright.

Sonia’s husband, Dennis Seivwright, the president of the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce, condemned the gruesome murders and encouraged residents to tell the police what they knew.

“It is just another evidence of the lawlessness and law-abiding citizens allowing small elements of criminals to overtake the society because people refuse to speak and support the police.

“Is time we start speaking out and expose criminals from all quarters because if we are cowards we die twice. It will continue if we don’t get together as a community and start to protect and defend our community. We can see the mourning and the grief here, but I want to say to everyone you have a role solving crime. It is not just the police”.

-hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com