Teen killed in suspected shark attack

Jahmari Reid, a 16-year-old grade 10 student of William Knibb High School in Trelawny, lost his life at sea in what is suspected to be shark attack.

According to the Constabulary Communications Network, about 6 a.m. on Monday, Jahmari left home and went fishing at the sea alone. He did not return home on that day. However, about 9 a.m., on Tuesday, fishermen saw the body afloat in the water and alerted them. On their arrival, Jahmari's body was seen with what appeared to be shark bites-- his head and his left hand were also bitten off. The body was fished from the water and taken to the morgue.

The teen's body was found near the Fisherman's Village. Fisherman Robert Robinson, the teen's uncle, told THE STAR that the teen had been spearfishing from early.

"When he did not return at his usual time we got concerned. A search party was arranged. The first thing we saw was his head bitten all up and chopped off his body. Next we saw a hand before we found the body all bitten up by shark. Right now me nuh eat, mi jus' a drink rum," he said. The boy's mother, Lavern Robinson, was at a loss for words.

"Right now a don't know what to say. Jahmari has been going to sea from him small. Him just love it an' him always go out with him uncle. Him was in grade 10 getting ready to go inna grade 11," she said, as her voice broke and the tears started to flow. Audrey Steele, vice principal at William Knibb, said the youngster was "just a quiet boy".

"He has never been before me for any disciplinary problem," she said.

Susan, a vendor at the Village remembers the teen as a quiet youngster. " Him jus quiet and sell him fish and watch dem fisherman dem play domino. Him never fus with anybody."