The killing of popular cook shop operator Kingsley James, at his business place early Saturday has left the community stunned.

Reports are that James, known as Magma, was sitting on a bench with three other men shortly after 2 a.m. when a masked gunman approached him and demanded money.

James reportedly smiled and was shot by the gunman.

He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Christopher Baugh, a brother of the deceased, told The Gleaner that his sibling was a good person who sought to help his neighbours at all times.

Always there

"He is always here for us because even during the time when me just start get me yute dem and me couldn't afford it, he was there to help me," he said.

Eunice Atkinson, his mother, said she was putting the matter in the hands of God.

"Just fi know seh him lef strong and hearty and big and fat and to hear seh dem kill him, but a di way of the world, so mek we trust God, because God a God," she told The Gleaner.

The Savanna-la-Mar police are investigating.