Anchovy High mourns student's murder

The Anchovy High School in St James was plunged into mourning on Monday, after learning of the fatal shooting of a second form male student. 

Fourteen-year-old Randino James was shot and killed in the Montpelier community after taking a break from playing a game of football that heavy rains disrupted. 

It is reported that James, and several others, sought shelter from the downpour at a bar, when two men alighted from a vehicle which drove up to the venue. 

The armed men entered the bar and open gunfire on the occupants, hitting the schoolboy in the upper body.

He was rushed to the St James hospital where he was pronounced dead. A 17-year-old female was also shot and injured.

On Monday, students wept openly at the news that their schoolmate's demise.  

Led by the student services department of the school, a team of grief counsellors from several other schools within the area are offering counselling to both students and teachers on the Fidel Castro Campus of the school in Montpelier.

As a result of the emotional impact from James' death, the school says end of year examinations for grade eight students have been suspended.

“We most definitely could not have them sitting an exam at this time based on the emotions that they are facing and dealing with,” Principal Lavern Stewart told The STAR. 

- Albert Ferguson

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