Anna-Kaye Brown (right) weeps yesterday while undertakers prepare to remove the body of her cousin, 39-year-old Alphanso Beckford, a farmer, who was shot and killed on Sunday night in the Gobay community, Berry Hill district of rural St. Catherine. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

The brutal murder of a man by unknown assailants is creating tremendous pressure on his daughter who now wonders if she will be able to sit the upcoming GSAT examinations.

Alphanso Beckford was found in the rural community of Gobay, St. Catherine, about 7:00 a.m., yesterday with gunshot wounds to both eyes.

As news of his death spread throughout the community, residents blocked the road and blamed the police for his death.

During the protest Beckford's 11-year-old daughter sat listlessly looking off in the distance. Attempts to get information from her proved futile as her only words were "I am suppose to do the GSAT this month and I do not know how I am going to cope."

Alleged police involvement

Several residents said they believe the police killed the farmer who was well loved in the community and that they need justice in the matter.

"A kill them kill him inna cold blood and it must hurt we, as him wasn't a wrongdoer and mi know a who do it, and a more science them haffi go work fi get weh from this one," remarked one resident.

The victim's sister, Valerie Williams, recalled her last moments with him. She said he ate dinner at her house then left and that she was shocked to hear of his murder.

The police, however, have offered a different version of events from that speculated by the residents. According to Deputy Superintendent Clive Blair of the Linstead police, the cops were called to the area by residents on Monday morning after shots were heard between 11:00 p.m. Sunday into Monday morning.

On their arrival, the body of Mr. Beckford, who is also called 'Dugo Dugo', was found at his doorstep, with head injuries.

DSP Blair said the police will be conducting further investigations into the matter. The killing of Beckford brought to 26 the number of murders in St. Catherine North since the start of the year.