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alexk
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Parents, teachers and students of the Success Laventille Secondary School paid tribute to their murdered schoolmate Joshua James with a silent protest on Thursday afternoon. The demonstration took place at around 2 pm on the Eastern Main Road, Laventille, along the southern perimeter of the school.
A memorial to James has been erected in his classroom.
Among the placards carried by the participants was one which listed children from the area, including students at the school, who have been murdered in recent years.
One of the teachers, who asked not to be identified, said too much innocent blood has been shed and the “poor/nil response” from the relevant authorities is disappointing.
“All this senseless killing and nothing being put in place,” the teacher said.
A relative of the slain teen said he was working on a school project on drug abuse and violence when he was killed.
“He did not like the crime that was going on . . . all this gun play. It was a pain for him to hear gunshots all around him,” the relative said.
She said James wanted to either become an underwater welder or a member of the T&T Coast Guard.
“He was very intelligent and did well in his schoolwork. He loved to work for honest money and would do chores for people around, including washing their vehicles and helping them sell food. He was loved by all and very well-respected and full of respect for others.”
James was killed last week Friday while he was playing a video game at his home. Two bystanders were also killed—Carlos Abraham, 38, who was celebrating a friend’s birthday, and Curtis Hepburn, 49.
According to reports, at around 10.45 pm, a car stopped at the corner of Erica Street and the Old St Joseph Road and gunmen opened fire.
James died on the spot. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.