Denham Town tense as peacemaker killed

Fear and silence now grip sections of Denham Town following the brazen Christmas Day killing of businessman Ricardo Ellis, otherwise called 'Boyah' or 'Bozza', a man residents say helped to keep order in the volatile West Kingston community.

Ellis, 41, of North Street, Kingston 14, was shot and killed while standing in front of his business place. Police reports state that two men on a motorcycle rode up and opened gunfire, hitting Ellis multiple times in the upper body before escaping. Ellis was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. When THE STAR visited the area, residents appeared visibly shaken. Shops were closed and most people refused to speak on the record, describing the atmosphere as "tense". Those who did speak expressed fear of reprisals. One resident described Ellis as a community enforcer of peace.

"He was a don down here but a the kind weh help people and mek sure say nothing bad nuh happen to innocent people," the resident said. Another said Ellis was living overseas but never cut ties with Denham Town, and kept giving back.

"Him come back during Christmas time and keep treat for the kids and give people in the community a little thing so dem can seee the holiday too," the person said. Residents believe Ellis was deliberately targeted and have linked the killing to long-standing tensions between Denham Town and neighbouring Tivoli Gardens.

"A bike rolled up and shot only him alone and other people did di deh, that clear as day seh a set him get set up," one person said.

"The same man weh set him up did tell some yutes to extort motorist earlier this year when dem drive through Denham Town and Boyah stopped it. That couldn't work. Them still have him up for it and dem know once him there no foolishness can't gwaan." Longtime residents expressed concern that Ellis' death could destabilise the fragile calm in the area.

"Boyah is a good youth. All the war in Denham Town you never hear say a him kill nobody. He's they type that splits justice and they don't want that, now it's gonna be chaos down there," one resident told the news team. "Is him bring order in the place but some people want to live off other people, and be trouble to hard-working people and dem don't like it."

Adding to the tension are claims that the alleged mastermind behind the killing is well known in the community.

"The person who responsible fi Boyah death a same place down yah him come from and nobody nuh like him. If the police them nuh act now mi nuh know who ago save we because dis man go a prison fi 10 years and come back a wreak havoc." Lawmen said they will be closely monitoring the area.

West Kingston has long been plagued by gang rivalry and cycles of reprisal killings dating back decades. Areas such as Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens have historically been flashpoints for violence, especially when informal power structures are disrupted. However, recent police data show some improvement. The Kingston West Police Division recorded a 43 per cent reduction in murders as of December 20, with 32 murders in 2025 compared to 56 during the corresponding period this year.