Family, neighbours grieve after Silver Hill shooting claims life

Family members and residents of Silver Hill, Christ Church are mourning the loss of Terry Waithe as the community grapples with yet another fatal shooting in an area still haunted by gun violence a year ago.

Waithe’s step-grandfather, Leonard Belgrave, described him as a quiet young man who preferred spending his time at home rather than on the streets.

“All I could say is he was a nice fella,” Belgrave said.

He explained that Waithe was usually at home on his gaming console: “He got a setup with a chair and everything. He’s a quiet fella… quiet fellow, you know.”

Belgrave also revealed that family and friends had cautioned the young man about going to the area before Tuesday night’s shooting.

“But some people warn him not to go down there… He musta still go.”

A long-time male resident sitting by a nearby shop echoed those sentiments, insisting Waithe was not known for causing trouble:

“He don’t get in nothing. He’s hardly come outside.”

He added that Waithe’s presence in the area on Tuesday night was unusual:

“Somebody had to call he outside last night. Listen, you would never see he so easy.”

Another male resident in his 30s, reflected on the latest act of violence and remarked: “Every action is a reaction.”

The death has also shaken people who work around the Silver Hill community centre. A male vendor admitted the incident has left him fearful.

“Like I’m traumatised in the hood. I don’t know what going on.”

He added: “I just here hustling, I don’t know what going on. I just offset.”

A fellow mechanic who knew Waithe also struggled to understand the shooting, describing him as someone who avoided conflict.

“He wasn’t an aggressive person,” he said. “He was very peaceful.”

Belgrave confirmed that the deceased was his grandson. His sister was too distraught to speak.

The fatal shooting occurred late Tuesday night near the Silver Hill community centre. Police said a group of people had gathered at a business establishment when an assailant approached and opened fire, injuring two men. Waithe died at the scene after being examined by a doctor, while the second victim was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical treatment.

The latest killing has renewed concerns about violence in Silver Hill, the same community where 13-year-old Lodge School student Shawnathon Chase was fatally shot in March 2025 while watching a netball game on the hardcourt. That incident prompted grief across the school community.

Police investigations into Tuesday night’s shooting are continuing.

(LE)