The fatal shooting of 28-year-old Romario Payne in Fairfield, St Michael, has reignited fears over violent crime and left two close-knit communities reeling, as his grieving family joined youth leaders in a call for urgent action to address rising violence.
Still reeling from the news of his violent death, Maria Carew-Sealy, mother of the Haynesville, St James, man who was gunned down on Wednesday night, told Barbados TODAY that while she tried to steer her son in the right direction, she ultimately could not force him to make different choices.
Payne, who was once listed as a wanted man, was her eldest child and a father to a five-year-old son.
“I was at work when I got the call,” she said, her voice low. “We trying….”
In June, police issued a public bulletin for Payne, urging him to turn himself in for questioning in connection with a serious criminal matter.
Asked why she did not bring him in, his mother answered quietly: “He’s a big man. I can’t make him do what he doesn’t want to do. As a mother, I encouraged him….”
She declined to say more.
Carew-Sealy made a direct plea to the public to “stop the violence [because] who feels it knows it”.
Payne was shot multiple times at around 10:15 p.m. while standing with a group of men along Simmons Land. He died at the scene.
His grandmother, though in grief, said the family is leaning on their faith.
“We’re just asking God for strength to get through,” she said, describing him as “a loving grandchild” who would help her with anything.
While the fatal shooting occurred in Fairfield, the ripple effects have reached Haynesville, where Payne lived and was well known.
Founder and president of the Haynesville Youth Club, Peter Skeete, told Barbados TODAY that the young man’s death has shaken the neighbourhood in which he lived.
“Well, with every act of violent behaviour, there is considerable cause for concern. And the fact that he has been a resident of this community for some time makes it even more concerning,” Skeete said, noting that Haynesville has outlived the negative stereotypes that once overshadowed the community.
“In recent times, we’ve had two murders, and that has taken place over probably 15 years. The evidence from the police and all interested parties suggests that Haynesville is no longer really a hotspot for criminal activity. The evidence is there to show that. But in recent times, we’ve had an upsurge all over the country. And Barbados is just a small place, and at some point in time, it will impact the community”.
Skeete said the area has invested heavily in positive programmes to help young people avoid destructive paths.
“This community is very vibrant in sports, cultural, educational, and all types of positive activity as we try to engage our young people in an effort to steer them away from a life of deviant and antisocial behaviour. But these things will happen from time to time,” he said.
“As a message to the younger ones in the community, if you choose a path of deviant and antisocial behaviour, then these are the consequences you will face. If you choose to engage in the number of wholesome activities that this community has engaged our young people in over the years, you will also see evidence of progress. You will see evidence of successful young people engaging in dance, in drama, in sports, and succeeding because they have chosen a developmental path”.
Speaking about Payne, Skeete said: “Like all young people, these youngsters have their challenges. They’ve displayed positive intent over time, and at the same time, there’s some negative behaviours as well.
“I consider him to be a youngster that had tremendous respect for me as a person. I’ve seen them grow. They’ve been part of some of the activities that we’ve had over time. And I’ve never had any difficulty with even some of the hardcore youngsters from this community. There’s maximum respect still.”
The youth advocate noted his message to those “hardcore youngsters” has remained the same over the years: “Come and be part and parcel of some form of positive activity”.
He added: “I’m particularly sad at the way that he’s lost his life, like any other young person who loses their life in such extenuating circumstances. And let’s hope that this scourge [of crime] will ultimately come to an end.”
Police are continuing investigations and are appealing to anyone with information to contact the Black Rock Police Station at 417-7500/7501, Police Emergency at 211, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.
shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb
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