Feud between families ends in gunfire

Feuds between neighbours are a fact of life everywhere in the world, but it is a rare occurrence when such disputes escalate to the point of gunfire. But that’s what happened Saturday night in the village of Biscayne… And today the victim who took a bullet in the eye has not only survived, but told his story to News 5’s Jacqueline Woods.

Laurencio Smith, Sr., Shooting Victim

“I never expect it. I nevah expect that they mi wah do this. When the police come I just ask them to talk to them and tell him not to come in the yard again.”

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Well-known taxi man forty-eight year old Laurencio Smith, Sr. says he was only trying to maintain peace between families, but on Saturday night Smith says five members of the Gillett family came onto his property and then one of the sons, identified as Alpheus Gillett, shot him in his left eye.

Laurencio Smith Sr.

“Well so far I lose the eye and they should take a CAT scan any minute now to determine what is the damage.”

But as the Smith family watches over their loved one, they could not believe that an eight-month disagreement with their neighbours almost took the life of one of their own. Smith says the problem started following a dispute between the families’ children. Smith claims during the fuss his daughter was attacked.

Laurencio Smith Sr.

“Now the case deh before the court and apparently they realise that they di lose the case. So I believe this dah weh ignite the whole thing.”

Leonora Smith says shortly after six on Saturday evening, she was home when the Gilletts entered her property and threatened them. Smith says when her husband came home later that night, she told him what had happened. The police were called, but Smith would not press any charges; he simply asked the two officers to speak with the family. But sometime after ten, Smith said things turned ugly after the Gilletts returned to their house.

Leonora Smith, Wife

“They come by the kitchen window. “Laurencio come by the window. We noh want nothing, just come by the window, I want talk to you.” My husband gone by the window, and I follow, and even my children, Junior was right close to my husband. So as he opened the louvers for the kitchen.”

That’s when Smith says she saw when one of the Gillett brothers pull out his weapon and shoot her husband.

Leonora Smith

“Then immediately, Alpheus get the gun and shoot my husband. Shoot by husband, my husband stumble and he fell down. The house, we already turn off the lights, so it was in the dark, but outside we have beautiful moonlight and we could see everything. And that’s when everybody, my children start screaming. I hugged and hold my husband, I get a cloth and try to stop the blood, but it just start coming.”

It’s not sure if this latest incident will end the feud or raise the stakes… but Smith hopes the authorities can do something to ease the tension before someone is killed.

Laurencio Smith

“At the present we depend on the authorities to give we protection, because then we have a right to live in the village. And it’s not that we ever aggress them, they actually come inside our yard.”

Jacqueline Woods for News 5.

Alpheus Gillett has been charged with attempted murder and maim, while Velda, Anthony and Austin Gillett have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder. All four defendants are free on bail.