Police: Man killed after responding to phone call

A man is dead after what residents of Craig Town in Kingston believe was an act of false pretense by his killer(s).

The residents are alleging that the pretender(s) used a telephone number assigned to someone he knew to lure him to his death on Wednesday about 9:20 p.m..

According to the police, 27-year-old Shemar Smith, otherwise called ‘Headley’ of a Madden Street address, received a telephone call and responded.

He allegedly travelled to Studio One Boulevard, which is close to where he lived.

Further reports from the Half Way Tree Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) are that after Smith responded to the call, he parked his motorcycle along the roadway when he was pounced upon by unknown assailant(s) who opened gunfire at him.

Residents heard the explosions and summoned the police who assisted Smith to the hospital where he died while being treated.

The police said no motive has yet been established for the killing and their probe is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Craig Town residents, who knew Smith well and expressed being shocked and angry to learn of his demise, allege that messages sent from the phone number of a woman with whom he had an affair played a critical role.

They were unable to say if the device is cloned, but remain convinced that it was Smith’s only reason to have left when he did.

“His brother was fixing up the house for him and the girl, so a she him gone pick up. It sad because him a nuh man weh give no form of problem,” a family friend said.

“Him deh wid a girl and her man, mi nuh know if dem lef or wah, tek the girl phone and a message Headley like him a the girl and fi come pick her up … up a Cross Road deh so,” the friend further alleged.

“When him go up there now, like the man call the phone and see who answer it and just go down pon him and start shoot him,” the resident, who requested anonymity, surmised.

Another resident reiterated that Smith was not a wrongdoer and is known to be very jovial.

“Is a joker, love give joke. Him helpful and go around the community, him no ina no badness and we surprised when we hear him dead. A the talk of the town because everybody shock,” the resident said.

They want investigators to look deep into the matter and bring justice to his family.

As at May 4, the St Andrew Central Police Division recorded 23 murders.

This is nine more or than the 14 murders recorded for the corresponding period last year, or a 64 per cent increase in homicides year-on-year.

Shootings in the division have declined by 22 per cent.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com