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JAMAICAN DANCER 'BOGLE' MURDERED

Published Thursday, January 20th, 2005

Jamaica Report & Contributing Writer Lady Cham info@westindiantimes.net

(WIT Photo)

West Indian Times received a call early this morning, (Thursday, January 20th) from Shilo of Celebrityplus.net that she heard Jamaica's dancer Gerald 'Bogle' Levy had been shot and killed.

West Indian Times confirmed this story by calling Bogle's mother in Jamaica who stated that her son "was on his way from a dance and two men trailed him on bikes and shot him and killed him dead".   His mother said it happened near a gas station by Halfway Tree Road and 'Bogle' was in his van.  She stated that the whole back of his head was 'shot up and gone'.

Bogle is responsible for many of the popular dances that are seen in the dancehalls including the ‘Log On,’ ‘Zip It Up,’ Pop It’ and of course ‘The Bogle’ which he created in the winter of 1991. Buju, Beenie, Junior Reid and Bounty Killa have all made tunes about the dances Bogle creates but he himself has never had the desire to DJ, his life is dancing and only dancing. He spoke to West Indian Times in an interview and was reverent about his Mother who is still in Jamaica and who raised him in the Kingston ghetto area of Jungle reflecting that although they were poor she raised him in the right way.

Following Bogle's murder the home of fellow dancer Jonathon "John Hype" Prendegast was firebombed and the police in Jamaica are keeping close watch on sections of Arnett Gardens and adjoining communities.  It is feared that the two related incidents could lead to a major flare-up of violence.  There are those who are warning that the death of “Bogle”, the reputed leader of the "Black Roses Crew", would be avenged.

It all began about 2:15am on Thursday morning, at the weekly "Weddy Weddy" session in Half-Way-Tree when a dispute reportedly developed involving "Bogle" and his companions and a group of men.  It is reported that "Bogle" and four other persons left the dance and drove onto Constant Spring Road where they stopped at a gas station. There they were approached by two men on a bike who pulled firearms and opened fire hitting all five persons in the car. "Bogle" received multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.

The others including a woman were taken to hospital where three were admitted with serious injuries while the 19-year-old woman was treated and released. In hospital are a 16-year-old, a 21-year-old and a 23-year-old.

Hours later fire was seen coming from the house at 12 Dillon Avenue belonging to "John Hype". He has been in a long running feud with "Bogle" and is being accused of being involved in his death.  A neighbor reported that the fire was started by a group of men who threw a device into the building. It took fire fighters some three hours to put out the blaze but not before two houses were destroyed.

At least six adults and three children lived in the buildings. No one was hurt in the blaze. Fire fighters have not yet completed their estimate of the cost of the damage.

And the killing of the popular entertainer has sparked reactions from several members of the local music industry.

Among those who have commented is Director of Shocking Vibes Limited, Clyde Mckenzie, who says the country has lost one of its most gifted entertainers.

'Bogle' May his soul rest in peace