Shooting death near St. Alban’s Primary

One man was left dead and children sent scampering away screaming in terror after a blatant morning shooting outside the gates of a primary school in Crick Hill, St. James yesterday.

It was just before 8:30 a.m. that 37-year old Marlon Holder of Maynards, St. Peter, pulled up to the St. Alban’s Primary School to drop off his six-year old son and a female pupil, when an unknown assailant walked up to the driver’s door and discharged several shots, hitting Holder about the body.

According to reports, Holder alighted from the vehicle and attempted to run, but collapsed and while several residents attempted to give him aid, died at the scene. The two children and a female friend, who were also in the car at the time, escaped without physical injuries.

The incident sent shockwaves around the area and traumatised many of those, who saw the event unfold, including several young children who had been on their way to school. St. Alban’s was closed as concerned parents

rushed to pick up the children they had only moments earlier dropped off.

Arriving on the scene with several other senior officials later in the morning, Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw entered the educational establish-ment to have talks with the school’s principal and teaching staff.

“This is a very difficult time for all concerned as they have been impacted by this lawless act, which took place in close proximity to a primary school compound prior to school commencing. Children would have been on their way to school and entering the compound, a number of school meal workers were here, teachers, ancillary staff and those dealing with traffic on mornings all would have been impacted. Some would have been in the vicinity at the time and would have had to have dealt with the children who were crying as a result of what transpired,” she stated.

Bradshaw announced that the school would remain closed for the rest of the week, but would be open today for those students and staff in need of counselling.