Less than 72 hours after the Federation recorded its fourth homicide for 2010, another young man was gunned down on Friday morning (Feb. 12). At about 7:25 the sound of multiple gunshots rang out in the St. Johnston Village area. Investigations revealed that Damian “Nashie” Isaac, said to be in his late 20’s, who resided in Lime Kiln had been shot to death in an alley joining Infirmary Road and Cardin Avenue. Reports from the scene indicate that Isaac was at the top of Cardin Avenue when three men wearing white vests and black outer shirts approached him and opened fire. Residents in the area reported hearing one barrage of about 6 shots followed less than a minute later By another round of about 5 gunshots. Persons standing around the crime scene said after the three men initially shot at the victim, though possibly injured, he took off on a bicycle. The men reportedly gave chase and finished him off in the alley. Persons said the men then walked down the street and hopped into a waiting white rental car and sped off. Some indicated that the men wore red handkerchiefs across their faces while others said they were bare faced. Police and Defense Force soldiers quickly secured the scene and covered Issac’s body. Dr. Norgen Wilson arrived on the scene and pronounced him dead. Police officers searched the cordoned area and could be seen recovering spent cartridges. They also impounded the bicycle, a pair of sneakers and were seen searching one young man near the scene. One woman claimed her son heard the shots and ran outside and shouted after the men who were across the street. She said one of the men shot at her son but he was not injured. Sources at the scene indicated to The Observer that Isaac received several shots about his body including his back. It was also said he had received at least one shot to the back of his head. The victim’s father arrived on the scene about 20 minutes after the incident and asked police if he could see his son because he had been told ‘they kill him”. The man broke down in tears as he viewed his son’s body, crying out in anguish. A young woman said to be the victim’s sister was seen wailing and falling to the ground. She also went to view the body and screamed, “I want me brother!” Several other persons on the scene were observed crying including a young woman carrying a toddler whom it was said was his girlfriend and child. However, many area residents expressed disparaging remarks about the deceased, who had been in trouble with the law on several occasions. A few also commented on the timing of the shooting and said it was sad that children had to walk through crime scenes on their way to school in the morning. Police would not comment on any motive for the crime but one source told The Observer, “We know he was in the Tek Life gang”. Isaac had escaped death on many occasions including an incident at a Lime Kiln home in October 2008 when unknown assailant(s) fired at the residence while he was inside. He was not injured in that instance. While residing in Old Road, Isaac had been brought up on charges of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition in June 2007. There were other uncorroborated reports that armed assailants had fired shots at him in the past including one incident in the area of the Gardens in Irishtown. Isaac’s death brings to five the total number of homicides in the Federation, three having occurred on the island of Nevis.
