- Promising young chef killed
By Noelita Lawrence
Thursday, October 19 2017, remains etched in the mind of a grieving father as the worst day of his life, as he was forced to drive the gunshot-riddled body of his wounded son from their home in Pond Road, Montpelier, to the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), Montego Bay in a desperate bid to save his life.
His efforts were in vain, as his son, 21-year-old Henry Rose Junior, otherwise known as ‘Alli’, a chef, was pronounced dead by doctors on arrival at the Cornwall Regional Hospital.
Rose was allegedly shot and killed by unknown assailants, about 6:45 p.m., on Thursday evening just metres from his house, while being driven home by his father after running an errand.
‘I GOT SHOT’
In recalling to the Western Mirror how the incident occurred, Henry Senior said he and his now deceased son, were driving in his Suzuki Jeep motor vehicle, heading home from some errands, when on reaching a few metres from their house, they were ambushed by men armed with guns, who opened gunfire at the vehicle, shooting up its left side.
The father further revealed that when the shooting stopped, his son said, “I got shot”. Mr. Rose said in hearing those words from his son, he sprang into action and quickly drove from the area and headed to the Cornwall Regional Hospital.
On arrival, he got the chilling news – Henry Rose Junior was dead. He succumbed to his injuries
“WASN’T A GOOD FEELING”
Henry Senior said he felt empty inside when his son died. “It wasn’t a good feeling, to know such a promising person was taken away and in such a manner”, he said.
“His achievement in such a short life was exceptional, just remarkable,” he noted, “it is what is now keeping me going,” a remorseful Rose said.
Rose said the family is now reeling from the tragic loss, and a pall of gloom now covers the South St. James community of Pond Road.
pond Road He described his deceased son as “the best you can ever imagine; I am very, very, very, very, proud of him and to have been his father”.
Henry Rose Junior attended the Herbert Morrison Technical High school where he excelled, having attained 11 subjects before leaving for HEART TRUST NTA, Kenilworth Campus, to pursue culinary studies.
He was described as an outstanding individual, and was also a member of Jamaica’s delegation which participated in the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Festival in June of this year.
The deceased, who was a ‘Chef De Partie’, a level three qualification, also entered several competitions while at the Kenilworth Campus and won numerous trophies and medals, among them gold in 2015 and silver a year later.
“Nobody had anything bad to say about him; his sense of humor was just contagious. He was such a respectful, competitive, self-motivated person, well disciplined, committed, caring, nothing but the best,” concluded Henry Senior.