By Jonique Gaynor / Francine Black
Staff Reporters

Police and family members of the murdered watchman and part time coach of the Chetolah Park Primary School, say they are clueless as to the reason behind the killing.

Derrick Lewis, 32, was murdered on Thursday by a gunman who crept up behind him and shot him in the head while he prepared for a Kingston and St. Andrew Primary League football match. Police report that Lewis and the students were in the process of greeting their opponents before the football match when the gunman walked unto the field and shot him. He fell to the ground and was shot again by the gunman, who escaped in a waiting motor vehicle.

Lewis' aunt, Sandra Smallwood told the STAR that she "had no idea" why her nephew was killed. She said the father of seven was very well known in the community and worked with the Admiral Town police in their youth and summer programmes. "We're all shocked. See where di likkle family live," she said gesticulating around the small community, "Wi nuh hear of nothing." She said she heard of her nephew's demise on Friday morning when she received a phone call.

10-year-old son

She added that though the family was grieving, "tru it jus happen, I suppose it nuh tek effect yet. We jus pondering and asking why." His 18-year-old son Kenroy, told THE STAR, "Im did tell mi seh im naw dead till im a 82. Mi did a lie down and dem call mi an tell mi. When mi hear mi jus go back inside go lie down."

His aunt also told the STAR that Lewis had worked at the school for years and he had also been a student there.

Another aunt mentioned that she too had no idea why Lewis was killed. She said, "None of us here have any idea. We were here when someone came and told us what happened. I had just come in from the doctor where I did an ultrasound and then I heard."

Lewis was killed in front of more than 50 primary school students, including his 10-year-old son Odane, sending the children into a panic as they ran around the field trying to find safety. His aunt told the STAR that Odane was very close to his father and went everywhere with him. He and his little sister will no longer attend Chetolah Park Primary as counselors have advised that they be sent elsewhere.

The police who went to the scene, observed firsthand how the children had been affected. Inspector Altamouth 'Parro' Campbell, said he drove a bus there to carry the children back to the school. "Somebody go seh 'see di bus we aggo carry unnuh home deh.' Not even Donald Quarrie run that fast as the children rushed towards the bus with tears rolling down their cheeks," he said.

He said he asked some women who were on the scene to talk with the children and try to distract them and calm them down. He said when the children all boarded the bus, they started to cry again. He tried to distract the children again by asking them to help him find his way to the school. By making a few wrong turns which they corrected, he was able to maintain the students attention until he got to the school.

Inspector Campbell said there are no leads so far, but said they are looking at every possible reason including the ongoing turf war between Jones Town and Torrington Park, where Lewis lived.

While the investigations continue to progress, Lewis' son who witnessed the incident, his daughter who also attends the school and their mother all received counselling at the station yesterday.