Come Saturday, Shadae Pink's family was expecting to welcome a new addition, as she was scheduled to give birth to her second child.
However, five days before her due date, the 28-year-old was shot and killed at Campbell Avenue in Port Antonio, Portland. Her unborn child as well as Keino James, 23, also perished in the gun attack, which took place at a recreational spot in the area shortly after 11 p.m.
Shadae's uncle, Alton Pink, said the family has been plunged further in mourning as her sister died a few weeks ago.
"It is a sad period for the family, as we were making preparations to bury her other sister, Danielle, who died in motor vehicle accident in Westmoreland about three weeks ago," said Pink.
"So this is like double jeopardy. She was in an advanced stage of pregnancy and was scheduled to give birth on Saturday, which would have been her second child. So technically two lives were lost from my family side. Shadae's father was planning to return to Jamaica to bury his daughter, Danielle, but yet again, another tragedy has struck."
Commanding officer for the Portland Police Division, Superintendent Lloyd Darby, said that the double murder has shattered the peace once enjoyed by residents at Campbell Avenue, Alfred Lane, and other adjoining communities.
The police reported that shortly after 11 p.m., men travelling in a car went to an area of Campbell Avenue where people normally gather to play dominoes and ludo. According to the reports, a car drove up and a man exited the vehicle from the rear, opening gunfire and hitting Shadae and James.
The pregnant woman was reportedly shot in the head, while James, who ran off, was shot in the back. He fell in the adjoining Alfred Lane. They were rushed to hospital, but were pronounced dead on arrival.
Darby said that the police are following several leads as they attempt to solve the murder.
"It is too early to confirm any of them, but we are doing all that is necessary -- in terms of crime scene, in terms of scientific evidence, eyewitnesses -- to see if we can solve this murder. We are also noting at this time that the female was the target of this attack and so we are focusing on that investigative lead," Darby said.
"Passers-by would just stop and play dominoes, while drinking soup or eating a piece of jerk chicken, which was always available."
Businesswoman Dion Lindo expressed shock at the murders. She said that James had gained employment at her business establishment, Rap Auto in Port Antonio, and was set to begin working in the summer.
"He was a bright spark, having graduated from Titchfield High School with about seven CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate) passes and four passes in CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination). I also learned that he was planning to join the Jamaica Defence Force," Lindo said.
