Orlando shooting victim buried

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH — Otis "Nicki" Beckford's death left those who came to bury him Saturday remembering how the 26-year-old loved his girlfriend and daughter, 7-month old Daniella. It also left them questioning what has become of the world.

"I'm sure all of us pray to see a better tomorrow," said Bishop Orlando McFarlene. "Will things change? Will the human race come to their senses? I don't know."

Beckford, a former West Palm Beach resident and graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School, was shot and killed on Nov. 6 at the architectural firm in Orlando where he had worked since 2007.

Beckford was one of six people shot when a gunman burst into the Reynolds, Hills & Smith architectural firm. Jason Rodriguez, 40, a former employee of the firm who had been fired, was charged with Beckford's slaying.

Dozens of co-workers attended his burial Saturday at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Friends talked about how Beckford, who went by the nickname Nicki, grew up in Jamaica before moving to New York and then West Palm Beach at age 15.

Friends talked at length about how much he loved his girlfriend, Daneicka Coley, 24, with whom he had his daughter.

Friend Karen Shepherd was one of many who talked about how motivated and goal-oriented Beckford was about succeeding at architecture and providing a better life for Coley and their daughter.

"He was really good to (Coley). He was just a good guy," Shepherd said.

A friend from Jamaica, Hadrain Malcolm, talked about how he and Beckford used to play soccer and cricket together and how he already had an airline ticket to fly to Florida for a vacation with Beckford when the shooting happened.

"Instead of partying and having a good time as we planned, I am now at his funeral," Malcolm said. "Why you Nicki? Why you? Why did that man see fit to take away your life?"

McFarlene said Beckford's death is another sign of a world in which "evil men seem to get bolder and bolder." McFarlene told Coley to teach her daughter the "true meaning of love" so she can grow up to be a good person and remember her father.

"Through Daniella you can continue the true legacy of Otis," he said. "Through her we can change society and we can change the world. Don't let his death go in vain."