GRIEF DOUBLES

Children mourned openly at the Edward Seaga Infant School in Kingston on Monday following the death of three-year-old student Jace Pinnock, who was murdered in Denham Town last Saturday.

Jace was shot dead by gunmen who attacked his home on Nelson Street, also injuring his eight-year-old brother.

Their 31-year-old father, Keiro Pinnock, who was also injured in the attack, died on Monday.

The deadly shooting took place as the community slept around 1:40 a.m .Saturday, and according to sleuths, it was the latest result of a bloody gang feud.

A curfew has been imposed in the area, which recorded some four murders and a slew of shootings up to February 14.

On Monday, Kingston Western Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie and other officials visited the school to offer support to Jace’s classmates and staff at the Spanish Town Road-based institution.

“This morning is very sad. I have been teaching here for 23 years, and I have been in west Kingston teaching for over 40 years. I have never seen anything like this. This act is the most gruesome, very callous, brutish, and I hope it will not repeat itself,” Principal May Pinnock-Mitchell said. “This little boy was so sweet and tender. He hadn’t lived any life, and for him to be gone like this is very sad. The whole school community is saddened.”

As she spoke, Jace’s classmates broke out in tears. For some, looking at a portait surrounded by flowers in a makeshift memorial on his desk was too much as they gasped for air and cried.

Their late classmate was painted as a jovial boy who, even at his young age, had a love for life and learning.

His death has left his mother in shambles.

“Everybody has been standing by my side, and I have shoulders to lean on, but I just have to ... . I can’t talk. I don’t know ... . I have not slept at my house,” cried Ladonna Cunningham, Jace’s mother. “The eight-year-old got grazed, the father got shot up, and the three-year-old got three shots and died.”

Although she had not slept at her home since the incident, she noted that it is a crucible she must face as she must remain strong for her other four children.

“Me baby dem, every minute the brown one a bawl in his sleep for him bredda and him father,” she cried.

The trauma is also affecting other residents of the community, who believe the warring factions are bent on killing children. Residents said the father repeatedly begged the gunmen to spare the children, but those requests were ignored.

“Dem a target the pickney dem. Dem come inna Christmas and dem never get through. Dem come back Wednesday night, and it never worked. So dem come back this morning and teck the likkle baby life, and shoot the next one and dem father,” one resident told The Gleaner on the weekend.

According to Senior Superintendent Michael Bailey, Area Four operations officer, the division has enjoyed a lull in gun violence over the past couple of years, and Jace’s murder took place in a zone of special operations.

“The police are going to take all measures necessary to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime. Our children should not be targeted, our communities should not be targeted. We should feel safe in our homes,” said a disheartened Bailey. “When people are brave enough to kick down doors, go into homes, and attack families, including children, killing them, the society must not tolerate it.

“So I am going to ask the community, the decent law-abiding citizens, that whatever information you have, feel free to call the police ... . When we come in to do our operations, cooperate. If you have any complaints, there are avenues to address it,” he said.

McKenzie has since offered a $600,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible; and during a visit to the school yesterday, reiterated his resolve to help bring peace to the community. He also affirmed his support for Cunningham.

“She has been strong ... . I want her to know that we are going to be there for you every step of the way. If it were possible for us to give back life, we would, but God knows best,” he said.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com