The father of Jeremiah Mapp who was shot dead along Streatham Lodge Road, St Augustine, last Thursday, is calling on gunmen to put down their rifles and pick up their Bibles.
While Orson Mapp had not been on speaking terms with his son at the time he was killed, the grieving father yesterday ruled out robbery as the motive after the victim’s wallet, containing cash as well as other valuables, was found intact on him.
Orson described his son, who was a father of two boys, as a “Quiet person ... no fuss, no fight.”
Jeremiah’s body was discovered by a jogger around 4.30 am on December 14. Residents later reported to the police that they had heard gunshots around 3 am.
However, his family remained largely unaware the unidentified man, whose murder was broadcast in the media, was in fact their relative.
Orson said his son would have been on the way to work at Bartholomew Transport, where he had been employed as a sanitation worker.
He described Jeremiah who was in his late 30s as, “A family-oriented man who liked to keep to himself.” But Orson said just like other families, he and his son had their own differences.
However, he added, “Other than that, he was hard working.”
The father said the family was unaware if Jeremiah had been fearful for his life or had been threatened. Orson added, “What I can say is the area in which it happened is a sort of area where a lot of hold-ups happen.”
“I used to work in that area before, so I’m aware of it,” he said, adding, “But this is the first time I’m hearing of a murder. Normally when it happens, it’s a knife or cutlass, so this is kind of puzzling. The police find him with his keys and phone and knapsack, so they sure it’s not a robbery,” he said.
Zeroing in on the level of crime and violence in the country, Orson said, “The crime situation right now is very intense and it’s not only here, it’s all over.
“So I not going to blame the Government for this or that, it’s not this country alone. Our crime situation is not unique, but it still hurts when it happens to you.”
As a female relative cried on his shoulder, the father said, “Trinidad is a nice place to live, other than the crime.”
To the youths pulling the trigger, as many murders are the result of gun violence, Orson urged, “I would say put down your guns. Stop this revenge thing cause in my head this is what it is.
“Put down the guns and pick up your Bibles and pray, and make the world and Trinidad a better place.”