Tonight, the Dangriga community is grieving the loss of Charles ‘Cutch’ Bradley. The forty-nine-year-old fisherman was outside his home in Dangriga Town, socializing, when two men on a motorcycle drove by, and one of them opened fire, hitting him multiple times. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the full story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
In a shocking incident that has left a family heartbroken and the community of Dangriga Town reeling, forty-nine-year-old Charles Bradley Jr., affectionately known as “Cutch” or “Short Man,” was tragically gunned down in broad daylight right outside his home. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has confirmed that authorities are on the hunt for a suspect who is still at large.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Yesterday around eight, eight thirty, there about, Dangriga police were called to Ramos Road. Were upon arrival inside a yard, they found the lifeless body of one. Mr. Bradley, I think the body exhibited what appeared to be gunshot injuries. He was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police investigation so far reveals that Bradley was inside his yard when two men passed on a motorcycle, one of whom fired shots in his direction. And those shots. Were what caused his fatal injuries. At this time, police are looking for one individual. We have not been able to locate that person as yet.”
Margaret Vernon, Bradley’s mother, recalls that they had planned to attend church together that morning, but Bradley chose to stay home instead. Though she is heartbroken over the loss of her only son, she feels a deep sense of gratitude to be alive.
Margaret Vernon Robateau, Mother of Deceased
“And afterward when I get ready he say, mommy, I no gwen da to church. Because I feel a little vibe. And then I gone, what I say, if maybe me and him mi gona da church, maybe ney mi ah kill two ah we. He came home, he said he was going to the cayes, cause he said he mi wa cook food for me. He usually cook on Sundays. And then I think he go right pan da lee cement, and take he lee smoke. I smoked cigarette so I sit down here, but we’re not smoking in the house. And da right there, ney kill ah.”
Vernon wouldn’t learn of her son’s tragic death until after she had returned from church.
“Just as I reach the lane, a little young boy say, good morning Miss. He said I sympathize with you. I say, for what, son? He said ney just shoot yo son around there. I said, can’t. That was my reaction to him.”
Police are exploring various motives behind Bradley’s tragic death. Although he had a past with the law, those close to him insist that he had turned over a new leaf, dedicating himself to his family and community. However, in 2024, Bradley’s twenty-four-year-old son, Jaheim, was arrested and charged with the Christmas Day murder of Richard Aranda. Authorities haven’t dismissed the possibility that this could be an act of revenge.
Chester Williams
“ It’s an angle we’re looking at, but at this time there’s nothing to substantiate that motive, but we highly believe so.”
Chester Williams
“I cannot say that at this time. But you would know that Bradley himself has his own past. And so there are several possibilities we’re looking at. And there is nothing we can definitively point to as a motive at this time.”
Today, Bradley’s family and friends gathered at his home to grieve together and offer support to his distressed mother.
George Nolberto, Friend of Deceased
“I no wa she wa brethren da like wa father. He take care of me. Anything I need, I Come da he. I da somebody very close to him, more than anybody else. Ten minutes before that happened, my pa rus, I mi deh right deh with ah di sit down before that happened. Ten minutes, ten to fifteen minutes before that happened. I mi deh right deh di chill with the man.”
Nolberto, who considered Bradley a father, explains that the entire community feels the loss of his generosity.
“I never believe it because I coulda mi be the same one weh deh right there with ah too, the sit down right there at that time then, maybe I mi ah get harmed too, you know, depends on who come fi di man. But da mi a good man, he take care of my kids. He give my pikni ney money every day fi school. He, every kids weh pass, he make sure he hail ney fi a lee dollar, two, pencil books. When da Christmas he buy, like, we go and go buy five hundred dollars worth a gift and every pikni weh pass. He take care of all the pikni ney.”
With the shooter still on the loose, Margaret is pleading to be spared from further violence as she navigates her grief alongside her family.
Margaret Vernon Robateau
“I want to ask in a good Lord’s name for let nobody come and harm me and please protect me. I didn’t do anybody anything. I’m a nice Christian person and I don’t want nobody to come and hurt me. They take my son from me, my only son for me, a life for life. They say, but please don’t come and harm me.”
Chester Williams
“ I have directed Mr. Grinage, Commander Operations, to go to Dangriga Town immediately following the conference. So I guess he’s going to be on his field very shortly to sit to the commander in Dangriga to see what strategically we can put in place to avoid any retaliation. Certainly, yes we will look, we’ll be looking at increasing our operational presence in Dangriga Town to ensure we go after those persons who we believe are likely to do in retaliation.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
