John Garbutt now identified as recent murder victim

An unidentified man was killed at the corner of George and King Streets after ten on Sunday morning in the weekend’s blood bath. Not many details were available because he was believed to have been homeless. Well that’s until today when we can confirm that he is forty-two year old John Garbutt. His family members told us off camera that Garbutt had a roof over his head and family support, even though he walked the streets collecting bottles.

Voice of: Nephew of John Garbutt

“I get the news Monday morning from one of mi cousins. She tell me that my uncle get shot. I neva believe until when I gone dah di morgue and identify the body that when I get to know that dah mi uncle.”

Andrea Polanco

“Numerous reports are saying that he was homeless at the time; his identity was unknown. Can you shed some light on that for us?”

Voice of: Nephew of John Garbutt

“Well he neva homeless; he was just someone that likes to do his own thing. He had his loved ones that cared for him. He can come for anything he wants, but he was a man that like to do his own thing and that’s why he noh deh around us much. I guess that’s why that thing happened; he was at the wrong spot at the wrong time.”

Andrea Polanco

“Numerous speculations are that his killing was as a result of some gang rivalry in the area. Would you know your uncle to maybe be involved int hat kind of activity?”

Voice of: Nephew of John Garbutt

“No ma’am he is not that kind of person. He just did his picking up of it lee bottles and sell it but he is not affiliated with no gangs and dehn things deh. I woulda say they kill him for no reason man cause he dah noh wah trouble person—I noh know my uncle like that.”

Andrea Polanco

“He was killed I believe at the corner of George and King Streets. Do you believe he became a victim of his environment?”

Voice of: Nephew of John Garbutt

“Well the only thing I can say is yes he was walking around the place at the wrong time. That’s all I can say.”

Andrea Polanco

“He didn’t maybe relate to the family whether he witnessed any incident prior to his death or involved in any conflict?”

Voice of: Nephew of John Garbutt

“I don’t know ma’am; nothing like that.”

Voice of: Niece of John Garbutt

“My uncle, John Garbutt, use to work at City Council. All his life he lived with his mom and he used to be a hard working man paid my grandmother’s house rent and make sure food was always on the table. And since she died from February 16^th, 2001 to me he kinda tripped out and chose that life. Then we hear this homeless man this homeless man. He wasn’t really homeless—he walks, picks up his bottles, sell them to make an honest living. And he chose to stay out there and sleep maybe because he doesn’t want to go home all the time. But he had a shelter.  He doesn’t interfere with anyone. He might beg someone for a little twenty-five cents, a little dollar, but he don’t interfere with people people. And it is tearing us apart because it is so sad. Why would you interfere with a nice innocent man? Why take the life of a nice innocent man who is not troubling anyone?”

Family members are preparing to lay Garbutt to rest and neither they nor police have any clue as to the motive behind his murder.