'Chubby' Dread
Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
POPULAR DANCE promoter, Franklyn 'Chubby Dread' Allen, Southside's long time area leader, was murdered outside a prominent New Kingston night club, early yesterday morning.
Reports are that he tried to outrun his attackers, but collapsed under a volley of gunshots to his back. The tall, sturdy, 54-year-old rastafarian fell on the sidewalk of Knutsford Boulevard, where his killers pumped about eight bullets into his body.
"He got shot in his head, back, foot and hand," said a resident from Southside who viewed the body. A report from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said the incident occurred at about 3:40 a.m. According to the police, Mr. Allen and a female companion were sitting inside a white Toyota motor car when they were approached by two gunmen. While the female escaped unhurt, Mr. Allen was chased and killed.
WOUNDED MORE THAN ONCE
His death came almost a year after he was shot and injured by gunmen. Prior to that, he was shot on at least two other occasions. A long time supporter of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), the man, who is affectionately called 'Ding Dong' by his peers, was killed less than 24-hours after JLP Member of Parliament, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and some of her constituents were attacked by gunmen.
Ms. Grange escaped without injuries but two of her supporters were shot, one fatally. Based on intelligence, the police are saying both incidents are unrelated.
In a statement yesterday JLP Shadow Minister for National Security Derrick Smith said he was concerned about the attacks on Grange and Allen, as well as the police raid in West Kingston on Tuesday. During the operation four people were shot including three women who were standing close to JLP leader Bruce Golding.
"These events may be uncon-nected," said Smith. "However, the fact that they are all such brutal attacks against our leaders, party executives and supporters and were committed within the span of three days, has caused some grave concerns and anxiety within the ranks," Mr Smith said.
"It appears to be a 'hit'," a senior officer told The Gleaner in reference to Allen's death.
Mr. Allen had transformed from a footballer to an influential area leader. Born in Montego Bay, St. James, he migrated to Kingston at age 12. He was an ardent party fan, sometimes travelling miles outside of his home town in central Kingston, to party.
He was regarded as the longest living area leader, having been around from the early 1970s. He is survived by 14 children.
