(Jamaica Observer) YORK, Westmoreland — Eleven-year-old Ricardo Dove was shot dead by gunmen who invaded his home in this quiet farming community on Monday night.
A distraught Robert Dove told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that some time after 11:00 pm, he was asleep in his bedroom when he heard an explosion coming from the room occupied by Ricardo and his younger brother.
The grieving father recounted that as he called Ricardo’s name and got a faint response, there came another explosion. He then rushed to his sons’ room where he saw the younger one standing on the bed, trembling and Ricardo’s lifeless, bloodied body sprawled on the bed beside him.
“As I tried to take my younger son off the bed I heard a barrage of gunshots outside,” he recounted.
Ricardo was in grade five at New Castle Primary School, which is located just a few metres from his house. The incident has left his schoolmates in shock.
“What a Teacher’s Day gift, what a Mother’s Day gift!” muttered the school’s Principal Margaret Cooper in obvious anguish.
A group of female teachers, who were seen speaking among themselves, described Ricardo as a quiet boy, who showed great potential. “He was successful at the Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Tests,” said a sad Alethia Grant, who taught Ricardo. A team of counsellors from the Ministry of Education is expected to visit the school today.
Yesterday, York residents described the incident as bizarre.
“We don’t use to hear gunshots up here. Only mouth we hear when people quarrel,” a female resident told the Observer.
The matter is being investigated by the Bethel Town police, who up until late yesterday had not established a motive for the killing.
