Ministry of Agriculture driver shot dead, a victim of “old grudge”, says family

Relatives of 49-year-old Gavin Major, a driver attached to the Ministry of Agriculture who was fatally shot in Georgetown on Thursday, believe it was the result of a long-standing “grudge” by a man identified only by his alias, “Shelow”, who is considered a suspect in the fatal shooting.
Major, of Lot 11 Charles Street, Charlestown, was a father of three.
In an interview with his brother Gairy Major on Saturday, he said that Gavin had left home on Thursday evening just before 11:00h in his car to pick up a cousin from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. It was there that he encountered the suspect, who in the past had allegedly threatened him by brandishing a firearm or discharging shots into the air.
“The suspect, like, had some old grudge, some old grudge with Major. So, apparently, like, he had a firearm. So, every time he saw Gavin Major pass, he used it to discharge from the area or in the air.”
According to Gairy, the suspect was known to his brother, but they were not friends or acquaintances.
“We just know him by seeing him; they are not friends or anything. We don’t even know his name. All we know is his name is “Shelow”…. We don’t even know if he is picking up some grudge from somebody else or something,” the dead man’s brother said.
On the day of the fatal incident, Gairy said his brother was passing in the East Ruimveldt area when the suspect, upon seeing him, whipped out his gun and reportedly began firing shots into the air once again.
Gavin allegedly stopped his car, reversed, and questioned the suspect, asking why he was constantly showing or firing his weapon whenever they crossed paths. The exchange led to words being passed between the two men.
Family members said Gavin then got out of his car and attempted to walk over to the suspect’s cousin to make a complaint about the repeated harassment. It was at this point that the suspect allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Gavin three times.
He reportedly collapsed on the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Gairy told this newspaper that, to his knowledge, Gavin and the suspect had never been in any physical confrontation before.
“My brother and the individual never had a physical – my brother and this guy never had a physical altercation before, so I don’t know how it escalated to murder. I don’t know if “Shelow” was drunk, if he was smoking… Because if you and a man had a curse out, you curse me and I curse you, how it reach you pulling out a gun and killing my brother?” Gairy asked.
Following the shooting, the suspect reportedly fled the scene and, up to press time on Saturday, remained on the run. Relatives said they have since made official reports and provided statements to police.
Gary described his brother as a quiet, kind, and hard-working man who was devoted to providing for his three children.
“We as a family would have to be there for his children… We would have to find a way to provide for his children and surround his children. But Gavin was quiet; he was alright, really alright… If I could say something to Shelow, I would advise him to turn himself in,” he said.
Meanwhile, detectives visited the scene and found spent 9mm shells. They were retrieved, and an investigation is ongoing.
Following the man’s death, the management and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture via its Facebook page extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Gavin Major.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss and share in the grief of all those who knew and loved him. During this difficult time, we offer our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. May you find strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead, and may his soul rest in eternal peace,” the post read.