Who was Otis Beckford?

The Orlando Sentinel has a short profile on Beckford, the only person killed during yesterday's office shooting in Orlando. A native of Jamaica, Beckford was an AutoCAD technician, 26 years old, engaged with a young child. Everybody says he was a really good guy who tried to live a quiet life.

Comments

[Tammad]

I am deeply saddened as Otis was a friend of my Husband when he worked in West Palm Beach . The fact is though Sad ,I am also Angry it gives no other person the right to harm another human being especially since they didnt inflict harm on you . Something went wrong in many ways here ... How did these individuals paths have to get crossed in this manner . The shooter stated that the company that he got laid off fron left him to rot..His has not left Otis's daughter to do what ... she has no Dad at 7 months Old . I am hurt and distraught ,I am saddened and want to say so much more...but I cant .... No he is gone at 26 years old ... at the hands of a Madman!!

[Ms. Bol]

this madman's lawyer said that this guy was mentally ill due to all his financial and personal problems...PLZ DO NOT EVEN TRY to plead INSANITY as this madman knew exactly what he was doing!!!!!!!!!!He just want the f..kng EASY WAY OUT like some irresponsible members of our society and blaming other people and taking and innocent, promising young man's life and family for his misfortune. IF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM becomes linient to this madman somehow exonerates him, then the message will just be that 'it is okay to shoot people because one can't handle life's problems which most probably of his own making. Mental Illness ??? PLEASE.

[co-worker]

To dear sweet Otis Beckford's family, you have my deepest sympathies and i am so very, very sorry this happened to him. If i could trade places with him i would, he was such a sweet nice man. He was a great guy and always had a smile on his face and never bothered anyone. I hope the SOB that killed him gets the death penalty, and his lawyer needs to be taken out back and punched multiple times for trying to use his flimsy insanity "defense." Don't worry, no jury in the world is going to buy it. Once again, i am so deeply saddened and very sorry.

[Janet]

Poor young man! He left Jamaica only to find THIS kind of fate in the US! A whole life ahead of him :(

MY heart goes out to his family. I am SO sorry.

[sooupa]

I am a friend an a brother of otis from christiana and i am outraged from this inccident its not even worth living right now bcus ur just living to die for no reason. R.I.P MY BROTHER

[twitter.com/CheryzOnTop]

Otis was a good friend of mine. This is hurting so badly inside and i wish it were all just a terrible nightmare that I could wake up from. Its still not completely believable. I 'poked' him on his facebook page when I heard the news...but he didnt 'poke' back...so i guess I have no choice but to believe it. Otis is resting peacefully now in a better place...but everyone down here who no longer have Otis in our lives are the true victims. He was a beautiful person. R.I.P. 'Oats' ...Love Sheri

[Mel]

I'm in a building up the street and we were a bit shocked and concerned what was going on. When i heard the news and they releaved that a young man at 26 (Otis Beckman) was killed.. I couldn't beleive this. No one deserves to die for someone else's life problems. NO matter if there 15 or 60 not even 26.. I've prayed for the Beckman family and for that little baby to have closer some day on this and no her father loves her. To the Beckman family, my heart goes out to you and may God bless you always...

[The Browns Family In Canada]

To Otis family he is a cousin we wll never meet his dad Dillan we grow up together at campgate.We the Browns family in Canada send our deepest sympathy we are praying for you all that God will hold the family in his arms and comfort you all at this time of sorrow.God bless you all.

[Heather]

Otis, Otis, Otis .you were an angel on earth, when my kids needed to have fun you would pick them up take them out, gifts birthdays.... encouragement ...for a young man of your calibre you should'nt have died this way. People this is an outrage ...I can see Otis walkig side by side me and my family picking us up to help with errands you were a son to me .....I hope all who never knew him will make justice reign and those who did also. My brother my friend, my son ...RIP you knew you were special....your daughter and intended will be taken care of I promise and while you are in heaven keep being you . We miss your smile and all the kind deeds you extended.... I LOVE YOU OTIS.... Heather

[Crystal L.]

Otis!! I'm so sorry to hear about this tragedy. My heart goes out to his daughter and fiance' as well as his mother and sister. I went to high school with Otis and he was the sweetest person. He was always smiling. I just can't believe that this madness has happened. what is this world coming to? R.I.P Otis. we love you!....Crystal L.

[LadyPooh Dada]

We love you Otis and you will never be forgotten. A sweet and yet so innocent and caring young man that has been taken away from his loved ones (family, friends, daughter, fiance, and etc...), Oats where you at in heaven just look over us and we will be reminded of all your good times with us cause there never was a bad one. Your daughter will be well taken care of and so will ur fiance. R.I.P Otis we luv u n miss u!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mark]

Otis, my yout. I can only remember when we used to work at QCDATA. Men, I couldn't believe it when I heard but I will be praying that God guides and continuously provide for your fiancee and your daughter. I pray that God gives your mother the everlasting peace to mend her heart. It's not a good feeling to lose a child but when a very good child has been lost, it hurts to the bone. Look what the world has come to. When you think that you are doing good in life by staying out of trouble you somehow can't even trust fully the person that you even work with. The same person that laughs and talks with you everyday. This world has changed so much. It's not like when I was growing up in Jamaica. Life used to be so much smoother. WHAHT HAPPENED WORLD????? OTis, I will really miss you my yout. It's never a good feeling to have a falling soldier.

But Otis, guess what! Your daughter will grow up to learn that she had a father who had the character and love for her that most men couldn't even dream of with their own kids. I am proud of you. You are a good father and fiancee. I said ARE because you will continue to live in their hearts forever.

[Clive Wilson]

Its so sad the last time I saw Nicky was when he was a wee boy in Central Village, Jamaica and he use to stay over our house sometime.His mother(Icilda) and father(Rocky)close neighbour of us. I remember the good times with his grandfather Mr.Leonard. Condolence to the family from the Wilson family (Tiler,Clive, Windel, Mark Charmaine and mama Joyce)

[cameel Morgan]

Condolence goes out to the Family of Otis "shark" Beckford... May god continue to strengthen and keep you all, esp. his daughter and girlfriend!!

[Shermaine Beckford]

Nicky, Nickalous, Village, Otis, Cousin words can't and will never express the pain that we are undergoing at your passing
"Death leaves aheartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal".
i can remember when i started Knox in 98 you were in 4th form you were ther as my guide as i felt so timid anf intimidated by other students. You the began calling me "SLIMA"you said i looked like one of your classmates, Oh how i hated that name. We would argue you laughed at me and i would cry. now i would be the happiest person if you were here to call me "SLIMA". whan i call you woul answer saying "Wha a Gwaan Shorty" i would laugh now i wont be hearing that anymore. The last time i saw you was during my time at Holmwood Tech 6th form and i had high hopes of seeing you soon but all that has been shattered. it's so hard to bear you were like my brother, we went from primary to high school until you migrated to the States but you never forget your loved ones back in J.A. Grandma "Ma" Enid would die if she had not passed on.
Your in a better place now, we've heard a thousand times... the reason why we are broken and the reason why we cry is how long we will wait to be with you again. there is no "US" without "U" you will forever be in our hearts. Love you Always
Cousin Shermaine Beckford Alias Prem.
Jamaica