Relatives of a Nassau Village man murdered on Wednesday night claimed yesterday he was a loving father and friend and not a gang leader.
Collie, 34, who is known by the nickname 'Heads', was chased and shot by gunmen outside a home in Millars Heights, police said.
According to his mother, Sarah Collie, he was killed not more than 10 minutes after he left his home on Price Street.
A man who was with him was shot in the leg and taken to hospital for treatment.
A well-placed police source told The Nassau Guardian that Collie is the suspected leader of the Nassau Village-based Fire and Theft Crew, but Ms. Collie denied his involvement in gang activity.
Ms. Collie, 71, spoke to The Nassau Guardian from her home in Nassau Village yesterday, surrounded by nearly a dozen relatives, including Julian Collie's two young daughters.
She said her son was a jack-of-all trades who worked as a carpenter, tile layer and mechanic. She added that he was generous and would always help family and friends.
"He is not a gang leader and I'm hurt about that," she said. "Anybody who knows him will tell you what type of person he is.
"He is one of the sweetest children God ever put on this earth. I could tell you that."
She thinks the rival lover of a woman her son was dating killed him.
Collie died days before his 35th birthday. He left behind three children and was expecting the birth of two more later this year, according to his family.
His mother said the death has devastated the family. She said another son, Andrew Collie, was murdered in 2008.
"I'm holding up well, but the children aren't doing well at all, right from the oldest one who is 47-years-old, none of them [is] doing good," she said.
She said Collie's teenage daughter has not eaten since his death and his six-year-old daughter keeps crying for her father.
Quindia, Collie's six-year-old daughter, remembered him as a loving father.
"Whatever me and my sister asked for he [gave] it to us," she said, before breaking down into tears. "I wish I could see him right now, but he is dead.
"I love him so much and I will love him forever and ever."
Police were questioning a 28-year-old man in connection with Collie's murder. The suspect was arrested around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
On Thursday night, Superintendent Paul Rolle urged residents of Nassau Village not to retaliate over Collie's murder.
"We ask for calm heads to prevail," he said. "This is not the time to seek revenge and retaliation.
"The person who we believe is responsible is in custody. We're going to do the proper investigation and at the end of the day if we find that there is sufficient evidence to proceed by charging we will do so.
"I met with the family [Thursday] and I appeal to the residents of Nassau Village to remain calm and allow the law to take its course and allow the police to do [their] job."
Ms. Collie said she too has asked her son's friends not to seek revenge over Collie's death.
"I already [spoke] to the couple I [saw who are] right around here and told them Julian [is] already gone and nothing you all do could bring Julian back. S o just forget it and let God work it out," she said.
In June 2012, Collie was arrested for questioning in connection with a shooting at Ballers Nightclub.
Police said a feud between rival gangs led to the killing of two men and the wounding of six other people, including a woman.

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