WESTMORELAND, Jamaica— Amidst the terror, shock and realization that his brother’s life was snuffed out before him, Declan Gayle, helplessly turned to the killer and said, “No, a mi bredda!”

His brother, 23-year-old Derron Gayle, was a window maker of Ancho district, in the Westmoreland community.

According to the police’s Corporate Communications Unit report, Gayle was among a group of people at a wake about 9:20 pm, when he was pounced upon by a lone gunman who opened fire at him. The others escaped unhurt.

READ: Man gunned down at wake in Westmoreland

Declan told OBSERVER ONLINE that his brother had sent him to call a female companion, moments before he got shot.

“By the time mi a guh link the somebody mi see [alleged killer] the person move off, but mi nah expect seh him a guh do nutten like that.

“Anyhow, mi hear the first gunshot guh off and mi look round, and mi hear the second one and nuh look round, den mi seh no a mi bredda dat. Den di person stop and look pan me like him inna shock.

Declan said his brother’s killer started to render assistance, by putting his wounded brother in the vehicle that was transporting him to the hospital.

However, he fled the scene upon the arrival of the police. He said when he got to the hospital the doctor later told him that his brother died.

Still clad is his blood-stained clothes, Declan broke down in tears as he told the OBSERVER ONLINE that the incident has left him traumatized and paranoid.

“Everytime mi look pan the blood pan mi pants, mi memba him or see a picture a him. Mi always a seh, jah know mi cyah believe. Mi brain, mi paranoid, [traumatized]. From last night mi deeven tek off the clothes dem yet,” he said.

For his mother, Doreen Kerr-Gayle she is pondering on how she will bury not only her husband but now her son.

“Mi lose the father and now mi come back come lose him, by the gun. Him get [shot] di 29 a December and him die the second a May, this year. Suh dat kinda get me…my head is spinning,” she shared seemingly distressed.

The 50-year-old mother, who said she is a domestic helper, added that her children are never in need of anything. She added that her son had plans to work harder and take care of her. But, his life has been cut short.

“Mi proud a him, cause him really stand out and him nuh inna nuh trouble, honestly. She said Gayle loved to stay inside, he only goes out when he has work.

His younger brother also attest to that. “Him nuh left yard, him always a watch show. Is a show man. That’s why him get Internet for the yard.

He said they decided to show support to a friend who lost his mother, as he worked with his dad before he died.

“A true a one a wi fren mother die and wi wah show support, cause my father dead and him always work wid him,” noting the reason his brother was not home Saturday night.

He described his brother as a person who loved his work. He noted that the deceased would ensure that the family is well taken care of, and would pay the bills.

Commanding Officer for Westmoreland, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Wayne Josephs, told OBSERVER ONLINE that the police have a person of interest. However, his name is being withheld pending further investigations.

Statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force show that up to June 20, Westmoreland recorded 69 murders since the start of the year when compared to 48 for the corresponding period last year.

Kimberley Peddie