…victim’s condition improving, attacker released

THE 15-year-old Linden Foundation Secondary School (LFSS) student, who last Thursday, stabbed her school mate with a ‘Rambo’ knife, has been released from police custody following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution. The DPP also advised the police to conduct further investigation into the matter.

The file was sent to the DPP on Monday. This was relayed by Commander of Region 10, Hugh Winter, who said the teen could no longer be held, since no charges were laid. He said no time frame was given for the investigation to be completed  but the police will deal with same expeditiously.

Along with statements from witnesses, police took evidence from a video footage that captured the entire incident. The video showed the victim and the suspect’s younger sister engaged in a physical fight. During the fight, the teen suspect took a ‘Rambo’ knife from her bag and stabbed the victim in the lower back. The spectators, consisting of mostly students, fled the scene as the victim, who was collapsing, sought assistance to go to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the teen remains warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) and her condition is improving according to LHC’s Public Relations Officer, Toshanna Allicock. Relatives have expressed satisfaction over the care and treatment she is receiving at the hospital and are optimistic she will make a full recovery.
The teen survived a five-hour surgery to remove the knife. Relatives are however, hoping that justice prevails in the entire ordeal and the police complete the task given to them. The victim’s mother, Dane Lyte, a single parent of eight, told the media that she is hoping to receive justice for her daughter and even compensation, since the incident could have been avoided. “I need justice, I need compensation for the injury…I can’t take it anymore,” she said.

NGOs and public-spirited persons have come forward to give assistance to the distraught mother. The incident caused widespread condemnation on the increase of violence in schools and last Friday, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry and a technical team from the ministry’s welfare unit, visited the school and engaged students and teachers. It was made clear that violent, indiscipline behaviour will be not condoned in any school setting, and perpetrators of these acts will face the full penalty. The Ministry of Education is also providing counselling for students and teachers who witnessed the gruesome stabbing.