MoBay’s ‘City Father’ killed by thugs

Anger and disgust characterised the mood of persons in Montego Bay, St James, following the murder of Asbert Campbell, a man who dedicated his life to the upliftment of the less fortunate children in the city.

Campbell, also called 'Lee', was gunned down at the entrance to his business establishment located along Fustic Road, in the market circle area, on Tuesday afternoon. He was 57.

Several vendors in Montego Bayon Wednesday vented their anger over Campbell's killing. They said that he was like a father to most of them inside the marketplace, and his kindness earned him the nickname 'City Father'.

"Look how the man good and the wicked boy dem come kill him," a disgruntled vendor told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"Mr Lee a one a di best man inna Montego Bay. A him sen most a wi children dem go a school. Him always a give to people ,and him don't deserve fi die like dis," another vendor, Precious, said.

Several of the vendors who gathered outside Campbell's shop said that they wanted more police protection within Market Circle.

Novlette Campbell, a sister of the deceased, said her brother was a loving and kind human being who fathered four children biologically, but played the role of father to hundreds of kids in Montego Bay's inner cities.

"Lee a MoBay Father," she said, adding that her brother has been operating from within Market Circle for the past 40 years after he took over the business from their father, who started the family business years ago by selling fried dumplings and tea to vendors. Father Lee became a liquor distributor and greengrocer.

Police reports are that shortly after 6 p.m., Campbell was standing outside his shop when two men armed with handguns walked up to him and opened fire, hitting him multiple times. They escaped on motorcycles. Campbell is the sixth person to be killed in St James over the past five days.

On Wednesday, the St James police carried out a massive operation in the Market Circle in search for wanted men and contraband. A number of premises were searched and several men taken into custody for various offences, including the possession of an offensive weapon and breaches of the Road Traffic Act.