The routine noise of traffic at the busy Gall Hill, Christ Church junction was shattered by gunshots just before 9.30 a.m., sending residents and people doing business at the nearby offices, shops and in the Aberdeen Jones Centre and Market scampering.
In that brief moment, Zakhir Avion Goodridge, 19, from Crescent Hill, Gall Hill, was dead and four others whom he had been liming with just outside the centre on the corner of Crescent Road and Upper Gall Hill Road, nursing gunshot wounds.
Police spokesman Inspector Rodney Inniss told reporters at the scene that officers received the report of the incident around 9.27 a.m., and on arrival found the deceased.
“The [injured] persons… were taken to the hospital, one by ambulance and three others by private motor vehicle,” he said. “We have cordoned off the area, we are now processing the scene,” Inniss said. “The police are still in the middle of the investigation so there are a lot of things that we do not know at this stage. What we can say, we did have interaction with the immediate family, the mother who came over and identified her loved one and the siblings who are still here and we are going to communicate with them.”
One of the four gunshot victims was a 15-year-old, with two at 18 and one at age 20. “Right away you see the age group you’re dealing with. And that makes it even more … uncomfortable.”
This shooting marks the 16th homicide for the year and the fourth killing in the past two weeks, a trend that has sparked concern among both the public and police in what the government had declared a truce with warring gangs. Inspector Inniss did not directly attribute the latest gun attack to gang violence but acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “It’s not only concerning to the police, it’s very concerning to the public… this is not the norm.”
He appealed for public cooperation: “That’s where we would normally ask the public to assist us in that regard… it affects not only the public but the police and a lot of grieving families, we don’t want it. But the public can help us by giving the information… they always know what’s up with the information.”
His comments were supported by Assistant Superintendent Carollyn Blackman-Alleyne, the Southern Division’s senior officer, who underscored the role public cooperation and community support played in investigations. “The public can indeed assist us… call us with any information they have. You can call 211, you can call the hotline 429-8787 and also 1-800-TIPS to Crime Stoppers. We are in dire need of their support, public support and their help.”
The incident has left the usually close-knit Gall Hill community in shock and mourning, as friends, family, and the authorities grapple with the loss of a young life. Family members and close friends described Goodridge as a kind-hearted and respectful young man, who despite facing challenges, was known for his helpful and friendly nature.
“I hadn’t seen Zahkir for a few weeks, but he was the only young person around here I could really relate to,” said a relative who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He was quiet and always respectful. If you asked him to help with anything, he’d come right away. He was a decent little guy.”
Jennifer Clarke, a close family friend, recounted the moment she learned of the teen’s tragic end. “I was speaking with Zahkir’s cousin when I saw another cousin knocking on the window, saying he had just been shot,” she said. “We rushed down to see what had happened and found Zahkir’s body.”
Clarke painted a picture of a vibrant yet peaceful young man. “He was very friendly and not a violent person. Zahkir liked to mind his own business. He would get himself organised for any event and always made sure to involve his mother. There was nothing bad to say about him,” she said. “He had his issues like any other person, but he was never troublesome.”
The pain of losing a young life has deeply affected the teen’s family and the wider community. “It’s unbearable,” said cousin Shakera Goodridge. “It just brings back memories of losing my mother. I loved him and it’s so hard to deal with.”
Clarke, reflecting on the broader implications of such violence, remarked, “It’s devastating to see mothers losing their children. I’m a mother myself, and it’s heart-wrenching. Zahkir’s mother isn’t really talking. This was her firstborn. The pain for the family is immense, and it’s something they can’t easily get over.”
Acting Assistant Superintendent Victor Brewster highlighted the tragic impact on the younger generation: “It’s very concerning to see young people gunned down before they can make their mark in society. It affects the economy and the community deeply. We are committed to getting the culprits apprehended.”
Inspector Inniss further added: “The trauma of losing a loved one to gun violence lasts a lifetime. We will continue our investigations and keep the public updated. Families don’t just move on; they live with this pain forever.”
Eyewitnesses described the scene with shock and disbelief. “I was in the doctor’s office when I heard the shots. It happened in broad daylight in a populated area where children go to school and people get off the bus,” one witness recalled. “Everyone was scampering, it was chaos.”
Another witness said: “I saw the guy fall to the ground. It was a traumatic experience, especially since Gall Hill has been very quiet recently.”
A third eyewitness expressed concern about the safety of the area: “This whole thing is traumatising. It sounded like dynamite. We don’t feel safe anymore.”
Expressing concern over the increasing prevalence of gun violence, the police spokesman said: “Tackling the gun issue is something that’s an ongoing thing. There have been different angles from which we approach it. Certainly, we’ve done operations in the ports of entry.
“We constantly do operations in the residences . . . You know the information, we act on information. And a lot of it is very productive. And that’s why we constantly say, let the public, let them help us. More often than not, the public is affected. And we are here to assist them. And they have the information. Pass on the information”. (RG)
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