It rough but mi a hol' it, says Ricky Trooper of daughter's death

Veteran music selector Ricky Trooper of Sound Trooper is devastated following the shooting death of his 23-year-old daughter, Brianna McKoy, who leaves behind a young child.

Earlier this afternoon, Trooper did an Instagram Live in which he shared that he was still grieving the loss of his father, and spoke of the bond between him and his daughter.

"Couple months ago mi bury mi father and then this go happen. Mi baby innocent. Yuh a talk to a one. Me and mi daughter dem close yuh nuh Bro Bro. Mi and her reason and she make mi know wah gwaan but mi never know say a man woulda go so far. Because yah talk to a one and yuh say it done and a one a gwaan like say him own yuh,” the selector who is known for his outspokenness related.

A report in the Connecticut Post stated that "residents of a North End condominium complex said they heard gunshots followed by the sound of a car speeding away on Thursday morning. When Bridgeport police arrived, they found McKoy shot dead in the Coachlight Square condominium complex on Vincellette Street around 11:20 a.m. on Thursday. An infant was in the home when McKoy was shot, but was not injured," police said.

Bridgeport Police Captain Kevin Gilleran was quoted as saying that "the child is in a safe place". According to the report, a manhunt is now on for Derrick Francis. The police said that Francis, who is considered "armed and dangerous", was in a relationship with McKoy and that the Bridgeport police had been called in the past to deal with incidents involving the couple.

The Connecticut Post further reported that the police said Francis has an arrest record in New York.

In his IG Live session Ricky Trooper thanked his colleagues in the music industry and his fans for the overwhelming support since the news broke early Friday morning.

“A di first my phone ever so clog up. People a call from all over the world. It hot. Mi a go chu a trying time ... but such is life and dem say nuh question di Almighty. It rough but mi a hol’ it. A di music a keep mi going. Just a play di music a dat mi know fi do. A it a hold mi sanity right now ... and mi fans dem ... thanks fi di love. A oonu a keep mi going."

Trooper even had a special thank you for Bounty Killer. "One of the greatest thing in life a when yuh enemy show yuh respect. Respect to Bounty Killer. Mi nuh have anything gainst yuh Killer, ... can't mix up music inna reality ting."

The selector said that, despite everything, he would honour his agreement to play tonight a Soundwave HQ.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com