DJ “Hard Rock” Murdered on the Boulevard

Andrew Bennett

There was a senseless murder in the city on Wednesday night, breaking a lull of three weeks when Ludwin Lalin was executed not far from his house in the Jane Usher Boulevard area.  Police are not talking today, but it does not appear that it is gang-related. A well-known activist and DJ, Andrew Bennett, popularly known as “Hard Rock”, was shot and killed just before eight o’clock.  The murder occurred not far from his house on Central American Boulevard.  Hard Rock was targeted by a man who fired the fatal shots, at least ten, at his head and chest. He succumbed at the scene of the crime. Well liked in the community, Hard Rock is not known to have been in trouble, so his murder has stunned those who knew him or heard of his many good deeds. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Just before eight p.m. on Wednesday shots rang out for the second night in a row on Central American Boulevard; this time around, it was fatal for well-known DJ, Andrew Bennett. Bennett was killed just feet away from his house and just around the corner from his mother’s house. Today, his sister Tashira told News Five that the family is still in shock by the execution of their loved one.

Voice of: Tashira Nicholas, Sister of Murder Victim

“We got the call that my brother got shot. It was shocking to me cause that was not any news that we would have expected. When I got on the scene, he was still on the ground and the police were processing the scene. Up until now, we are still trying to figure out why and who would do such a senseless thing to my brother.”

According to police, he was at a bus shed, adjacent to his house when a gunman approached and opened shots on him; Bennett was hit multiple times to the head and body and perished on the spot. His sister says, that he was having supper when he was targeted.

Voice of: Tashira Nicholas

“He was at home and he just sent over his daughter to ask his mom to take out food for him and that was what he was eating when the person approached him, as far as I heard.”

Duane Moody

“So he lived on Central American Boulevard, so close to his mom’s home?”

Voice of: Tashira Nicholas

“Yap. Not far from his mom’s home.”

Hard Rock, as he was affectionately known by his family, friends and the community, was well-known as an activist in the community; he had a passion for basketball and music.

The news of his untimely death spread like wildfire across social media, as the forty-year-old was loved by many, providing a place on Central American Boulevard where young people gathered for almost two decades; many would converge to watch basketball games on the homemade theatre or to simply listen to music. Described as a sanctuary, Hard Rock provided a training ground for young boys from the community to learn the sound system hustle.

Mose Hyde

Mose Hyde, Owner, Krem TV

“Outta dah sanctuary there responsibility fi nuff DJ weh we utilize dah KREM. Yo know, Hard Rock has spent maybe two or three years, we call ti two ro three tours at KREM cause that dah how Hard Rock rep it. And the man open up ih home to youth and he woulda be one of the examples of a member of the community providing a space for wi endangered youths find a positive way forward. The irony of it; like really just slap yo head side like a two-by-four. It just mad mien. Mad.”

According to his family, Bennett had no known enemies and didn’t complain of having any threats.

Voice of: Tashira Nicholas

“He didn’t complain of anything. Everybody look up to him so I’m still trying to figure out why, why this happen. After our dad died, he came in and he took up that role and fill up that spot and he was always supportive of us. My mom always taught us to love each other. You have a dispute with anybody, yo patch that up and yo move on. We were a very close family; every day we make sure we come in and check with our mom and everything. My brother was not no type of bad person to have lost his life this way.”

Duane Moody for News Five.