The mother of Cee-Jay Cunningham, the 2022 Prime Minister’s youth awardee for excellence in agriculture, who was killed yesterday, is finding it hard to accept his untimely death.

Joan Lewis recalled her last moments with her son yesterday doing deliveries of strawberries from his farm, in Chantilly.

She said her son was a quiet and peaceful man, who was admired and respected by residents.

Ms. Lewis is bewildered as to why her son was killed and now wonders if jealousy was a factor.

Meantime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed sadness at the murder of one of the recipients of the youth award for excellence, 2 years ago.

29 year old farmer and tiler Cunningham, also called “Colour”, of Chantilly district, was shot dead in Davyton, Manchester, last evening.

In a statement today, Mr. Holness said Cunningham was a promising young entrepreneur and beloved resident of Chantilly district.

The Prime Minister said Cunningham’s innovative approach to farming and his dedication to his community were evident in every aspect of his work.

Mr. Holness expressed condolences to Cunningham’s grieving family, friends and fellow Chantilly residents.  

And, Councillor for the Bellefield division in Manchester, Mario Mitchell has condemned the murder of Cunningham.

Reports are that at about 6:00 p.m. Cunningham was among a group of men at a house doing tiling, when gunmen approached and opened fire at them.

Cunningham and another man were hit.

They were taken to hospital where Cunningham was pronounced dead and the other man admitted in stable condition.

In condemning the incident, Councillor Mitchell described Cunningham as a promising individual.