Andrew Smith/Photography Editor
Marva Duhaney, mother of 22-year-old George Esson who was killed last Sunday, tries to hold back tears while speaking about the good deeds of her son. Esson was killed in his community of August Town in St. Andrew.

Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Since last Sunday Marva Duhaney has been mourning the death of her son, George 'Ricky' Esson. The 22-year-old who was gunned down by assailants in his community of August Town, was her chief breadwinner, her friend and her 'wash belly'.

Esson, the last of her eight children, was on his way to a friend's funeral in the St. Andrew community when he was killed a few metres from the church.

"All my sons are good, but Ricky was a special boy. I don't know how I am going to cope without him," she said holding back tears.

Assistance

Miss Duhaney, who is a domestic helper with cataract and glaucoma in the eyes, told The Sunday Gleaner that her son paid for her medications and contri-buted to the rent for the family's home.

Miss Duhaney, who celebrated her birthday five days before her son's death, said Esson had planned a party for her that was to happen after he returned from the funeral, on Sunday.

"I was the last one from the family to see him alive. When I see him on his way to the church he pat me on the shoulder and said, 'Mamma mi soon come'," recounted Duhaney under soft breath.

Esson, was a convenience store purchaserat SuperPlus Supermarket and a student of the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies; he is also a graduate of Kingsway High School.

One of his co-workers, who asked for anonymity, said they are mourning his death.

"Most of us are still crying and are finding it difficult to pick up and move on since his death," related the co-worker. "It is like I lost a younger brother, because he always come to me for advice. The way he spoke of his mother was like a daily thing... always trying to make her proud...always wanting to ensure that his siblings were all right."

His sister, Phillishia Arscott, said that her brother, although the youngest, took care of the family as if he was the eldest.

"His niece got her lunch money from him whenever her mother couldn't provide," said Miss Arscott.

"We coming from nothing, no father, our mother alone. It was Ricky who come and made us live a good life and them just take him away from us," related the sister with tears in her eyes.

Esson's death brings the total to three persons who have been killed in the August Town community since November. Reports are that since the murder of the community's alleged leader, Neil Wright, last year November, there have been frequent outbursts of violence.

"A morning time me miss him," said Miss Arscott, who often cooked her brother's dinner.

"I cry in the mornings when I don't see him in the house getting ready to go to work," added Miss Arscott.

His death also brings a form of irony to the family. Two months ago the familymoved from Jungle 12 in the community, to Bryce Hill. This the family said was Esson'sdecision as because of the violence he did not want a member of his family to die. "He said he wanted us to live somewhere safe and quiet," recalled Miss Arscott.

"While his goal was to achieve a house for his mother," added his sister.

Recently, Esson bought a car which he didn't get to drive. "When he bought the car he came home, he showed me the keys and said, 'see Mamma a buy a car so you don't have to go to work late again. Anywhere you want to go I'll take you'; and then he hugged me," recalled the mother.

While Miss Duhaneywill not have a merry Christmas, she reminisced on the joy that her son gave her.

Family dinner

"Last year Christmas, him bought the groceries for the family and we cooked a big family dinner. This is while he bought me many other gifts," she said.

The family is trying to understand what is the motive behind their relative's murder. "My question is why? I know that them have them war in the community, but why Ricky?," asked the mother.

The family said that Esson was well known in the community. That he often assisted the school children with their homework.

"Many times when someone dies you hear only good things about them. But he was a genuine and hardworking person," said another of his co-worker.

Esson after leaving work on Sunday went home and changed outfits before going to the funeral.

"We were a happy, happy family," said Miss Duhaney.

"Those who pulled the trigger need to turn them life over to God. That's what Ricky would want so I am asking for that," she said. Esson would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on January 2.