(Trinidad Express) THE police investigation into the death by suicide of 15-year-old schoolboy Jayden Lalchan is nearing completion, says ACP Wayne Mystar.
He said all parties have been interviewed and a file will soon be taken to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for instructions.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Mystar said police maintained a zero-tolerance approach to instances of bullying and school violence.
In Jayden’s case all persons involved were contacted by police, he said.
Last week, Mystar said a thorough investigation was underway into allegations of bullying at St Stephen’s College in Princes Town, where Jayden was a student.
Teachers, students and parents were being interviewed, he added.
Mystar said the police were not on a witch hunt, but instead would be compassionate in the investigation.
He added that the matter would be expedited, and more officers would be added to the case.
Should the investigation conclude that someone drove the teenager to end his life on October 2, he said criminal charges will be laid. He said that according to the Offences Against the Person Act, bullying is considered a criminal offence.
Jayden, a Form Four student, died at his Broomage Road, Princes Town, home.
His parents, Rohan and Fareeda Lalchan, alleged their son had been bullied for years and reports were made to the school’s administration on several occasions.
Jayden, who was born in the United States and migrated with his family to Trinidad and Tobago, was laid to rest following a funeral service on October 8.
His loved ones have promised to continue the fight for justice for him.
In a social media post, the Trinidadian and Little Guyana community said it will host a candlelight vigil and awareness walk to honour Jayden.
The march, scheduled for October 20, will be held in Queens, New York.
Following Jayden’s death, his family and friends held a candlelight vigil and march from the Promenade in Princes Town to St Stephen’s College on October 7.
The march, led by Jayden’s parents, was attended by hundreds of supporters.
