MANCHESTER, Jamaica — There was a sombre mood in Davyton, Manchester on Friday as scores of residents, family and friends of murder victim Ceejay Cunningham gathered at a candlelight vigil in memory of the 2022 Prime Minister youth awardee for agriculture.

The 29-year-old farmer who had inspired his peers, was shot dead a week ago while tiling a house in Davyton, near Bellefield.

READ: Puzzling, painful murder

A police report said about 5:45 pm Cunningham and another man were working inside an unfinished house when an armed man entered and opened fire. Cunningham was shot multiple times in the upper body. His colleague was shot in the leg.

Joining the grieving family at the vigil were members of the security forces led by police commander for Manchester Deputy Superintendent Carey Duncan. Manchester Central Member of Parliament, Rhoda Crawford and Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield division) were also in attendance.

Crawford said Cunningham’s killing was devastating and heartbreaking.

“Davyton is usually a quiet community and ever since the incident, it is as though the community has locked itself into a shell. Usually you would come in the community [and see] young men playing football, shops would be open, persons would be on their verandah,” she said.

“It is almost as if it has become a ghost town. The incident has rocked all of us in the community, in the constituency, in the country and in the diaspora. Ceejay was a promising young man. He contributed so much to the community and to the nation at large,” added Crawford.

In a display of unity Crawford and Mitchell lit candles together.

Mitchell said the unity is vital to restore calm in the community.

“The entire community is out to support the family. The police is here. This is the direction that we want to ensure that this community starts to lead Jamaica in unity and togetherness to solve this monster, crime,” he said.

Up to late Friday the police were still “hoping for an early breakthrough” into Cunningham’s murder.

“We are working to get this crime under control [and] to solve this crime we will be partnering with the community,” said Inspector Suzette Bernard.

READ: Police say probe of young farmer’s murder progressing well

— Kasey Williams