BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE customary early morning silence in Trafalgar Village was broken today (Oct. 14) by the sound of incessant gunfire which resulted in the death of Noel ‘Zambo’ Heath of Cardin Avenue.
According to the Acting Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Sergeant (SGT) Edward Drew, at approximately 5:05 this morning police received a report of a shooting incident at Cardin Avenue.
“We responded immediately and conducted inquiries, which revealed that shortly before receipt of the report Mr. Noel Heath was outside his home, at the side of the road, when some unknown person(s) fired a number of shots at him.
“The bullets struck him several times about his body and he was taken to the JNF Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Investigations into this matter are ongoing.” SGT Drew told SKNVibes.
On arrival at the scene, this media house observed a number of small yellow plastic objects placed at various sections in the area where Heath was shot with figures superimposed upon them.
The objects were 13 in number, and SKNVibes was told that they indicated where spent shells were found, which were taken into custody for further analysis.
SKNVibes also learnt that Heath was about to transport water to his farm when the incident occurred.
One villager, on the condition of anonymity, said he was awakened shortly before 5:00 a.m. by the loud sounds of gunfire and, on leaving his home, he saw “a lone, masked man dressed in a black pants with a gun in his hand running north along Cardin Avenue. At that time I did not know who the victim was. However, I have a strong belief that the gunman, who was a short person, had a getaway waiting for him”.
On hearing of the incident, many grieving relatives, friends, fellow villagers, members of the Nyabinghi Theocracy Order and sympathisers turned up at the JNF Hospital to ascertain what they heard.
“Zambo was known as the Father of the Village. He was always sympathetic to a just cause and many people know of his kind-heartedness. Whoever had done this unjust and despicable act has taken the bread out of many people’s mouths. Zambo would always lend an ear to anyone who had a problem…and if it were a financial one, he would readily go into his pocket and render assistance,” one villager said.
Since his return to the Federation some two years ago, following his four-year incarceration at a US prison for his alleged “conspiracy to violate the Federal Narcotics Laws, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846”, the 61-year-old Heath had kept a low profile but was actively engaged with a number of prominent citizens in their quest to create peace among warring gangs.
On his return to St. Kitts in 2009, he was greeted at the RLB International Airport by a large number of well-wishers and said that he wanted peace of mind before he could do anything, including giving a further comment to the media.
He also extended blessings to the nation and “the good, the bad and the indifferent”.
Noel 'Zambo' Heath's death has taken the total of homicides committed in the Federation for the year to a staggering 31; five on Nevis and 26 on St. Kitts.
Less than 12 hours earlier, 17-year-old Vincent Williams of Herbert Street, Newtown was gunned down in Mad House Alley, Newtown. Investigations into this incident are also ongoing.
