Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Residents watch as police personnel from the Scene of Crimes Unit process the area where Alston Hayden of Mizpah district in Glengoffe, St Catherine was killed on Monday. - Ricardo Makyn

Spanish Town

A meal of rice and mackerel was not to be a reality for 26-year-old Alston Hayden, as he was shot to death by gunmen before he could reach home in Mizpah district, Glengoffe, St Catherine, yesterday.

The death of the 26-year-old man, who is the brother of JLP Councillor Michelle Jackson, of the Mount Industry division, has cast a gloom over the rural community.

"It's about one o'clock this (Monday) morning, 'im sey 'im a go cook rice an' mackerel, an 'im lef' to di road, an' from dat, I don't see 'im," remarked Kerry-Ann Dawson, the mother of Hayden's one-year-old child.

Supportive father

She described Hayden, also called 'Blue', as a hardworking, intelligent and supportive father and she could not come to grips with his brutal murder. "It's really sad," she said, with tears running down her face. Other persons echoed similar sentiments.

When the news team visited the house where Hayden's family lives, his sister Michelle tried very hard to hold back the tears. In between sobs she explained: "It is years now I haven't seen my brother play football, however, yesterday (Sunday) he played in a community corner league that I put on to bring the community together."

She added that it was not known who or why anyone would want to kill Blue. She was supported by some of her colleagues from the St Catherine Parish Council, led by Mayor Dr Andrew Wheatley, who added his voice.

"I don't think crime is centrally located like before, it has now put out its ugly head in rural communities, and it is for that reason why we are asking persons to be vigilant and support the police in their investigations," Mayor Wheatley said. He promised to give moral support to his mourning colleague.

Gunshot wounds

Police reported that Hayden's body was located about nine o'clock Monday morning about 50 metres from his home. It had several gunshot wounds, and one of his hands appeared to be fractured. No motive has been established for the killing.