‘My son was no strongman’ - Grieving mother refutes claims slain offspring was a don

Relatives of Andaine Smith are strongly rejecting claims that he was a 'don' or 'strongman' following his murder on Saturday.

His sister told THE STAR that Smith, of Chestnut Lane, West Kingston, was a hard worker who loved children and spent his time helping others rather than controlling any criminal network.

"A nuh him a the don. When him tun don? Dem nuh know the don fi West Kingston already? A Smith him name so how him fi be don?" his sister questioned. Family members say the narrative surrounding Smith's death has added to their grief, as they try to come to terms with the violent loss of someone they describe as compassionate and hard-working.

"Strongman can't inna market every day, him always a work. Him couldn't deh up a market a work every day if him a don. My pickney a nuh strongman, go ask anybody. A weak him weak mek dem kill him. Him good to people and help people. Strongman nuh buy food fi people and carry it go give dem every Saturday," Smith's mother Elaine McIntosh said.

According to the Constabulary Communications Network, the incident occurred about 10:50 a.m. at the intersection of King Street and Guango Way. Smith was reportedly attacked by three men who stabbed him in the centre of his chest before fleeing on foot. He was later assisted to hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

Relatives say the timing of the attack is particularly painful, noting that Smith was often in the area around that time preparing for early market activity.

"Them stab him and kill mi pickney without a cause. Them just red eye, grudgeful and envious, that a the problem," the grieving mother said. For the family, the tragedy is compounded by another recent loss.

"Today mek one month mi bury one daughter. She sick and dead and nuh have no complaints and now mi son gone. A pray me a pray cause a God haffi fight fi me," the mother added.

Smith's sister maintains that he was known in the community as someone who tried to calm conflict rather than encourage it.

"When people inna war him quick fi cry peace, if him did a strongman him woulda push it," she told THE STAR.

"Nobody nuh have nothing bad fi say bout him. He is a helpful and peaceful person. Him love children although him one daughter weh him have did dead," added a man who identified himself as a cousin.

Smith's sister tattooed his name, as well as his birth and death dates across her shoulder, but that cannot dull her pain.

"A him a mi heart. Right now me not even feel it because mi body numb," she said teary-eyed.