Soldier gunned down in his home

The Zambia area of Central Village in Spanish Town was a ghost town yesterday, hours after the murder of Kemar Dennis, 26, who was a reserve in the Jamaica Defence Force.

Windows and doors of homes and businesses were shut tight, and, seemingly fearful for their lives, a few persons who lived just footsteps away from where the incident occurred said they were unaware of any murder. But two bullet holes in Dennis' metal door, a blood trail and forensic gloves told the gruesome tale of what transpired in the wee hours of Tuesday inside his dwelling.

According to a report from the police's Corporate Communications Unit, about 3 a.m. residents heard explosions and summoned the police. On the arrival of the lawmen, Dennis was seen lying in his yard with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. An elderly woman described Dennis as respectful and well mannered. She said she was filled with grief as although she was not his biological mother, Dennis was like a son to her.

"I know him from him small and a grow and him turn soldier years now. Is me alone live here so anything I want at the shop is him go buy it for me. Him was a really nice youth," the elderly woman said.

"I was on my bed and when I hear the shot dem. I slide under the bed and is there so I stay until day light out. When I get up and I hear is him, I couldn't believe. Mi son gone, Oh Jesus," the woman said.