Jamaica Gleaner

... I played dead because I did not want to die

- jason.cross@gleanerjm.com

ON SATURDAY night, a fierce domino battle was under way at the Old Trafford Sports Bar in Porus, Manchester, when loud explosions were heard coming from a bar located next door.

The owner of that bar, 49-yearold St Claire Wayne Jordine, was shot and killed by gunmen.

But as the gunmen attempted to make their retreat, they fired several shots to keep persons around at bay. Frightened domino players and bystanders scampered for cover.

While running to jump over a wall at the back of the business place, he ran right into the path of the startled gunmen, who thought he was in pursuit of them. One of them opened fire at him, hitting him in the left leg and on the left side of his upper body in the rib cage region.

Marcia McKenzie, 52 years old, affectiona­tely known as Christie, who was running closely behind him, was shot and killed.

He was confident that he was not the target.

“You know people will give trouble and come around. A just people weh never fi deh bout come bout, and dem just tek him. A two months now him (the deceased bar operator) start run deh suh. After dem shoot him, everybody run. Den me get inna dem way, and the woman get inna dem way,” he shared with

The Gleaner on Tuesday, asking not to be named.

“Unfortunat­ely, Christie inna di way when dem a fire at me cause me jump over the wall. Maybe if me never run fi go jump over di wall, Christie wouldn’t get shot. When mi drop and see the man a come towards mi after mi get shot, I just lay dung and stiffen up, like mi dead, with one eye pon him. All mi a seh was dat mi nuh waa dead and mi nuh married to mi girlfriend yet, suh how mi fi dead.”

Up to January 20, three murders were recorded in Manchester.

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 ??  ?? Rosey’s Chill Spot on Main Street in Porus, Manchester, where the shooting took place.
Rosey’s Chill Spot on Main Street in Porus, Manchester, where the shooting took place.
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