For decades, reggae fans around the world have mourned the brutal and senseless killing of Peter Tosh, the revolutionary voice of The Wailers and one of reggae’s most outspoken freedom fighters. While the official story of that fateful night in September 1987 has been told and retold, Tosh’s family has now come forward with new details—shocking, emotional, and deeply personal—that paint a more complex picture of what really happened.
A Night That Changed Reggae Forever
On September 11, 1987, Peter Tosh was at his home in Kingston, Jamaica, when gunmen broke in, demanding money. What was supposed to be a robbery quickly turned into a nightmare. Tosh was shot and killed, along with two others, while several of his friends were wounded. The news devastated Jamaica and the reggae community worldwide.
But according to Tosh’s family, there’s more to the story than a random act of violence.
“It Wasn’t Just a Robbery,” Says His Son
Tosh’s son, Jawara McIntosh—also known as Tosh 1 before his own tragic passing—once hinted that the attack wasn’t just about money. Now, other family members have confirmed those suspicions. In a recent family gathering commemorating Tosh’s legacy, they revealed that Peter had received multiple threats in the months leading up to his death.
> “Peter wasn’t just a musician—he was a warrior. He spoke out against corruption, against apartheid, against oppression. That made him a target,” one relative shared.
The Phone Call Before the Attack
Hours before the attack, Tosh reportedly received a strange phone call—someone warning him to “stay quiet or face the consequences.” According to family members, Peter brushed it off. He had heard warnings like that before.
“He told us, ‘I nah fraid of Babylon,’” his sister said. “But looking back, I think he knew something was coming.”
A System That Failed Him
Tosh’s family also expressed frustration with how the investigation was handled. The main suspect, a man named Dennis “Leppo” Lobban—an ex-convict Tosh had previously tried to help—was convicted, but questions remained. Some believe Leppo wasn’t acting alone and that the case was rushed to protect bigger names or political interests.
“Peter was silenced because he refused to be tamed,” his nephew said. “He called out the system, and the system couldn’t take it.”
Tosh’s Legacy Lives On
Despite the pain, the family emphasized that Peter Tosh’s message is more alive than ever. His songs—“Equal Rights,” “Legalize It,” and “Get Up, Stand Up”—still ring true today in struggles for justice and freedom around the world.
And now, with these revelations, fans are being reminded of just how dangerous and brave it was for Peter Tosh to speak his truth.
A Final Word from the Family
“We don’t want his death to overshadow his life,” the family said. “But people need to know the truth. He died a warrior—not just for reggae, but for humanity.”
Peter Tosh may be gone, but the fire he lit still burns.