Haitians at the Mountpelier camp in St. James discussing the incident in which one of their
number was killed by gunmen on Monday night. The mood at the camp was quite sombre yesterday afternoon and some of the Haitains said they had become fearful. - Photo by Adrian Frater
WESTERN BUREAU
HAITIAN NATIONALS at the refugee camp in Montpelier, St. James are saddened following the murder of their countryman by gunmen at his workplace in Shettlewood, Hanover on Monday evening.
Thirty year-old Othnel Brezeu was shot and killed along with his employer Blondell Richards, a 44 year-old mechanic of Shettlewood district. They were gunned down at their mechanic shop shortly after fixing the brakes on the motorcar driven by one of the killers.
"I don't feel good when the one who die is Haitian," Angelot Jean Louis told The Gleaner yesterday. "He's one of us... it makes me feel afraid."
The faces of the Haitians, who came to Jamaica in boats to escape deadly civil unrest in their homeland, wore expressions of gloom and uncertainty.
Brezeu hailed from the town of Anse in the city of D'Hainault, Haiti where he also worked as a mechanic. He was described as a friendly, helpful and hardworking man, who also looked out for his fellow countrymen.
HAITI MORE DANGEROUS
According to his neighbours, he also operated a shop at the camp and leaves his brother behind at the facility. "Jamaica is dangerous but Haiti is more dangerous," commented Cassa-major Jamieson, explaining that he too took a necessary risk by coming to Jamaica.
Police say that about 4:30 p.m., a car with three men pulled up at Mr. Richards' mechanic shop and the driver requested a brake adjustment. It is said that after the repair was completed, the men pulled handguns and opened fire at the shop owner and two of his employees.
Mr. Richards received multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Brezeu's body was discovered about 6:30 a.m. yesterday morning when investigators went back to the murder scene. The Haitian was seen lying under a blue Volvo motorcar with gunshot injuries.
No motive has been established for the double murder, which has brought Hanover's homicide figure for 2005 to eight.
