Monday, December 11, 2023, will forever be etched in the hearts of Anchovy High School in St. James as a sorrowful day. It was a day filled with deep mourning as the entire school community grappled with the tragic loss of a second-form male student on Friday, December 8, 2023, in his own neighborhood.
Tears streamed down the faces of students as the news of their dear schoolmate, Randino James, no longer being among them sank in.
Randino James’ classmates and teacher mourn his tragic passing
In this time of immense grief, the school’s student services department, along with a compassionate team of counselors from various schools in the vicinity, provides invaluable counseling support to students and teachers at the Fidel Castro Campus of Montpelier.
Lavern Stewart, the principal of Anchovy High School, emphasized how the entire school community is deeply affected by this devastating loss.
Fortunately, the school has received an outpouring of support from external guidance counselors, dedicated members of the parent-teacher association, and the Ministry of Education.
Understanding the emotional toll this tragedy has taken on the entire institution, Stewart made the decision to temporarily suspend the end-of-year examinations for second-form students. This measure allows ample time for the healing process and enables students to navigate their intense emotions.
“We could not expect our students to sit exams during such a distressing time. Their emotional well-being takes precedence,” Stewart explained to The Gleaner.
According to the police report, at approximately 6:28 p.m. on Friday, 14-year-old Randino, residing on Marl Road in Montpelier, sought refuge from a sudden downpour of rain by taking shelter at a nearby bar during a football game. It was then that a vehicle arrived, two individuals alighted, and chaos ensued as they opened fire inside the bar, tragically taking the life of young James and injuring a 17-year-old female.
Promptly responding to the incident, the police swiftly transported the victims to the hospital. Tragically, Randino James was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the young female victim received medical attention and was admitted for treatment.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are diligently working to uncover the truth behind this senseless act of violence and bring those responsible to justice.
Hairdresser charged for allegedly smuggling $3m into Jamaica.
In Kingston, Jamaica, Law enforcement officials apprehended a Jamaican national at the Norman Manley International Airport following her arrival on the island with an amount exceeding J$3 million on Friday, December 2023.
Nicole Smith, a 44-year-old hairdresser residing on Dennis Drive in Kingston, was identified as the suspect by the authorities.
Smith is facing a range of charges, including the cross-border transportation of cash, importation of illicit funds into Jamaica, concealing criminal property, conspiring to conceal criminal property, and possession of criminal property.
According to the police, Smith arrived on the island via a British Airways flight around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023.
During the security screening process, undeclared cash amounting to $3,068,951.95 was discovered in Smith’s luggage.
Smith failed to provide a satisfactory explanation to the authorities regarding the origin of the money, leading to her arrest on suspicion of violating the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Following a question-and-answer session in the presence of her legal counsel, Smith was formally charged by the police on Sunday, December 10, 2023.
Her scheduled court appearance is set for January 10, 2024.