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Junie Balls Son Stabbed To Death At Soca Concert
posted (August 29, 2016)
21 year old George Mckenzie Jr. was murdered yesterday morning around 12:45. If that name sounds familiar it should, because he was the son of George Mckenzie Sr. the notorious, "Junie Balls" - a legendary gangster known as the Godfather of Pink's Alley.

Sunday August 28th marked the 9th anniversary of his execution - and it was the same day his son was killed. Now was it some sort of plan to kill Mckenzie Jr. on 9th anniversary of his father's death? Or was it just a bad mix of coincidence and a petty disagreement? Courtney Weatherburne went to Pink's Alley to find out.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
For mother Melissa Major, these two pictures were her favorites, the man standing tall in full white is her son George McKenzie Junior and the picture right beside him, is of his father, McKenzie Sr, better known as "Junie Balls". Looking at her son's picture would always bring her comfort after "Junie Balls" was killed in 2007, but now, these images on her TV stand bring her grief, and they are now just reminders of all she has lost.

McKenzie Jr. was stabbed to death early Sunday morning at a Soca Concert at the ITVET. According to McKenzie's family, he was with his girlfriend, his brother and his sister in law. They were all enjoying the Soca vibes when two men went up to McKenzie and his crew, wanting to start a fight. The girls tried to make peace between the men and the guys left, only to return a couple minutes later to stab McKenzie from behind, as he was dancing with his girlfriend. There was a struggle among the men and when it was over, McKenzie tried to get away but made it only as far as the gate.

Two of McKenzie's friends, well known gang members Ellis and Tyrone Meighan were there and they say McKenzie wasn't troubling anyone.

Ellis Meighan, McKenzie's Friend
"The men who say they want peace and the men who say they want love killed him for no reason because he hasn't stabbed anyone or pushed anyone. They dawg him to go to the bar to crowd and stab him."

Tyrone Meighan, McKenzie's Friend
"The man was with his girl, not into any problems. He got hooked from the back and chance out of his life."

While there were many witnesses at the concert and one seemingly clear cut narrative as to what happened the police are still in the early stages of the investigation and are trying to gather all the facts and evidence in this case.

Sup. Hilberto Romero, Precinct Commander
"There was a fight that ensued at an area inside the compound. As a result, 24 year old George McKenzie junior received multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen."

ASP Alejandro Cowo, Officer Commanding CIB
"After the fight happened, the deceased managed to run away and almost by the gate entrance he was stopped by the police officer because of his bleeding. As a result of that, he was transported to the KHMH where later he succumbed to the several injuries he sustained to his body. So far we cannot tell you a direct motive as to what happened, we know there was a fight but the motive is not clear up to this moment."

Although the police have not established a motive as yet and won't confirm if McKenzie's murder is gang related, police are still prepared for any retaliation following this incident.

ASP Desiree Phillips, OC - Eastern North Division
"Indirectly, we have put certain things into place because whenever incidents occur, there is always the lookout for spill overs across the city and we have put certain things into place to ensure that as best as we possibly can there is no form of retaliation."

While the police work on their case, McKenzie's family and friends have to accept the pain of his loss. His mother and other family members declined comment but we got to speak to his colleagues at the T-Shirt factory on North Front Street.

Graphic Designer, Ritisha Hohenkirk worked closely with McKenzie in the personalized department. In fact McKenzie was recently promoted to that department where he printed plates, cups and t-shirts. Hohenkirk says he started to work with them in February but in that short time, McKenzie proved to be hard working and dedicated to his job.

Ritisha Hohenkirk, Graphic Designer, T-Shirt Factory
"He is the only one that would come in here and insists to help with something even if I don't have anything for him to do. He always asks ' you sure you don't want me to do something?' and if I just feel like bringing the shirts myself he gets upset at me and tells me 'I'm supposed to be the one printing it'."

Kathleen Hohenkirk, Owner, T-Shirt Factory
"It really has been a great pleasure working with George, he is very friendly to the customers as well as to us, very polite, humble, willing, always finding a joke. We are definitely going to miss him, it was very sad to just hear it because people do deserve a chance in life and we did give George an opportunity."

And it is that opportunity that was violently taken away from McKenzie at the ITVET. But it wasn't only McKenzie who was stripped of his life, his Pinks Alley family including his 10 month old baby girl were cheated out of the chance of loving him.

Police have one person detained. Mckenzie Jr leaves behind a 10 month old baby.

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