THE FAMILY of a British man who was shot dead while on holiday in Jamaica, say they are “heartbroken”.

Sean Patterson, 33, a personal trainer from west London, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and head at around midday on Monday in the parish of St James, police said.

Jamaica Constabulary Force said officers from Montego Bay police received reports the 33-year-old was standing by the pool in the One Love guest house where he was staying, when witnesses heard “loud explosions.”

Mr Patterson was taken to Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay but could not be saved.

The news of his death has left his family devastated.

His sister Sarah Wright wrote on social media on Wednesday: “Well that’s one way to start the new year, finding out your baby brother has been murdered in Jamaica.

“To say we are heartbroken is an understatement.

“You’ll get justice ikkle (little) bro.”

A long-time friend of Mr Patterson, spoke to The Voice anonymously, and described him as “pleasant” and “humble” and said he grew up on the Edward Woods Estate in Shepherd’s Bush, west London.

They said: “He was a lovely kid growing up on Edward Woods, you would never see him without his brother.

“The family was originally from Wales and was popular on the estate, his mum was well known for her West Indian cooking.

“Even as an adult, Sean was a pleasant and humble young man with that cute cheeky smile.

“He’s very well-known and will be sadly missed by everyone. Condolences to the whole family.”

The friend also told The Voice, Mr Patterson was affectionately called “Patty/ Patti” by those who knew and loved him.

According to The Gleaner, a 34-year-old man has been taken into custody.

The suspect  is said to be from Kingston, but was allegedly deported from England in 2013.

Reports said Mr Patterson was approached by a man with a handgun who chased him and shot him several times while he was standing by the pool at the One Love Villa in Bogue Hill at about 11.45am.

According to local media reports, a friend of Mr Patterson said he had arrived on the Caribbean island on a Virgin flight from London on 29 December.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was “supporting the family of a British man who died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities”.

Tributes to Mr Patterson have been shared on social media by his friends and family.

Mr Patterson’s death is the first murder in the parish of St James, since the start of the year, according to local media reports.

The Gleaner reported that 198 murders were recorded in St James last year.

Last month, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness reimposed States of Emergency (SOEs) in several parishes to stop the rise in crime in parts of Jamaica.

The parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, St James, Westmoreland and Hanover were subjected to the SOEs.