Residents in the quiet rural town of Highgate, St Mary are baffled and in shock over the murder of a businessman on Friday night, September 23.
Dead is 46-year-old Cecil Taylor, popularly known as ‘Moonie’ of Richmond, St Mary.
Gunmen posing as customers buying oil, shot Taylor dead outside of his business place. The shooting death sent residents in the community in shock, horror and fear.
Residents pointed out that the murderous attack was not about robbery as Taylor’s relatives early on the scene had found cash in his pockets and in a bag he carried.
The shooting occurred in an area where taxi operators and residents often hang out. But the area was pretty lonely about 10:30 p.m. as other shops had just closed for the night.
Up to Monday, September 26, the police had not made a breakthrough in the killing of Taylor, who operated an auto-parts shop and sold snacks.
Reports are that at about 10:30 p.m., men, alighted from a car and approached Taylor at his business place located on the outskirts of the town, close to the Highgate Primary and Junior High School.
The men had told Taylor that they wanted to purchase oil.
He did not suspect that the men posed a threat to him and was walking towards his shop, when he was shot by the men. Unconfirmed reports are that Taylor was shot six times.
The two men later went back to the car and drove off.
Other reports to The Times indicate that a car drove up, a man alighted requesting to purchase oil. Taylor went to fetch the bottle of oil and was returning with it. Another man, who was in the parked car, alighted from the vehicle and later shot Taylor several times. The men escaped in the car.
Residents who heard the gunshots descended close to the crime scene. The reality, later struck that the man, who was known as ‘Moonie’ was the man shot dead.
Information to The Times is that Taylor was originally from Kingston. He was also at one point a robot taxi operator, who plied the Highgate to Half Way Tree route.
Residents have been asking why and have their own theories that the murder was a hit.
There have also been stories making the rounds that Taylor had owed a man a sum of money over a period of time. However, the man had not been paid and police were looking for Taylor.
Head of the St Mary police, deputy superintendent Dwight Powell explained that there was a warrant out for Taylor in regards to certain commitments to pay a sum of money.
However, DSP Powell explained that they have no motive for the killing at this time. He also ruled out robbery as a motive.
“We are appealing to anyone with any information to come forward,” DSP Powell pleaded.
This is the second gun related murder in the Highgate area since the start of the year as another man- Alonzo Reynolds- was also shot and killed at his house in Harmony Hall district in Highgate on Tuesday, August 9.
Residents have also told The Times about the armed hold up of a Highgate businesswoman earlier this month, at her gate in Frazerwood.
