Relatives believe jealousy and envy triggered the murder of TriniBad dancehall artiste Daniel Hamilton, who was gunned down at point blank range while standing outside his Moruga home on Monday night.
Hamilton, 26, of Poui Trace, St Mary’s Village, Moruga, died after being shot four times in the face, head and chest.
The murder occurred around 8.30 pm, shortly after Hamilton, aka “Mad Dog,” walked outside to take a call and meet an associate.
Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Hamilton’s father Collie Hamilton, said the death had left the entire family and community distraught. Describing his son as ambitious and loved, Collie said he was “taking a bathe” when he heard the sound of rapid gunfire.
“When I came out, my son was lying out there and his face and head were covered in blood,” Collie recalled.
Family friend Gillian Riley said Hamilton was never a violent person and did not have any enemies. She said he was expected to perform at a party on August 24 in his hometown, where people loved his TriniBad style of music.
Riley said during the pandemic, Hamilton wrote and successfully recorded several hits, including Protect My Life and Rumours. She said he was never one to be boisterous. Although he spoke with a “stammer” (speech impediment), his songs were well received in the TriniBad world, she added.
Childhood friend Kamal Kaladeen said Hamilton loved music and journeyed to Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain, to record his hits.
“He always singing since he was small. He always writing music and singing. When he buss his first shot (song) it was called Rumours. That was in 2020 and then he sang Protect my Life. Many of the songs he wrote from right under my house.”
Throwing his hands in the air, Kaladeen said: “I don’t know why people does become jealous and envious. Papa (Daniel) did not deserve this. We living in a world where nobody really cares for nobody. We are getting less police patrols. They have we forgotten in the back here.”
Another friend, Kiran Ramkhalawan, stooped down where Hamilton died and touched the ground. The family had poured sand on the ground to cover the blood.
“Love life dawg,” he said as he mourned the loss of his friend.
Police believe Hamilton was killed by someone he knew but said the motive was still unclear.
Hamilton was one of four TriniBad artistes murdered in recent times. Last May, Tobago’s N’kosi “Fari-Dan” Bovell was killed, while last September and October artistes Josiah “Siah Boss” Mc Clatchie and Keenan Craig, 31, were killed at St Paul Street, Laventille, in separate incidents.
PC Latchman is continuing investigations.
