'Do not think of taking revenge'

Father of slain boy pleads with students

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Anger, depression, and tears defined the mood at Cornwall College on Monday as students, teachers, and administrative staff struggled to come to grips with the murder of 16-year-old Matthew Reid on Saturday at the Centrepoint Plaza in Montego Bay, St James.

The boys in his class, Grade 11S2, cried openly as a trauma team from the Ministry of Education counselled them.

"Young men, Matthew is gone," said Neville Reid, the distraught father of Matthew Reid, who addressed the class on Monday. "I have come to the realisation; I was in denial on Saturday. I am asking you not to think of taking revenge ... . I would love for you to dedicate your studies to him. Please study and work hard to make yourself proud and your parents."

According to the police, on Saturday, two young men chased Matthew from the Bay West Shopping Centre. He ran to the nearby Centrepoint Plaza, where he was cornered and stabbed several times in the neck, chest, back, and his throat slashed.

He was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.

Reports indicate that he was chased for his BlackBerry smartphone, which he did not hand over to the young men who had demanded it.

Major impact

Principal Denham McIntyre said Matthew's death has had a major impact on the school.

"He was regarded as one of the top grade-11 students, doing well in academics, excellent conduct, and was the perfect epitome of a true Cornwallian," McIntyre said.

"He was a student who undoubtedly, would have been very successful in his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations, for whichhe was preparing. An inspection of his record reveals that Matthew Reid was a student of excellence in every way - conduct, attitude, and academia. He was an easygoing student, mannerly, cooperative, and a gentleman.

"The death of a student like Matthew will not be easily forgotten. This was a senseless, gruesome murder of a decent human being."

Amid tears, Shane Graham, who was Matthew's good friend, said: "I feel like a brother is gone. I've lost a brother. This friendship is over."

In a release yesterday evening, the Ministry of Education condemned the killing.

"It is very unfortunate that we live in a society where students are exposed to violence and predatory behaviour on their way to and from school," the ministry said. "We encourage parents to ensure that children walk in groups in their daily commute to and from school so that they can assist and protect each other. We are also urging students to keep all cellphones shielded when in public areas.

Henry McCurdy, caretaker candidate for North West St James, who visited the family home, said it was a sad day in Montego Bay.

"We have to see how best we can recapture the lost youth in the city. We have to now work to engage the youth and to channel them in the right direction," McCurdy said.

barrington.flemming@gleanerjm.com