Mom calls for justice

Kareem Smith, the 14-year-old student of Barataria Junior Secondary School, is now listed in stable condition at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, after he was attacked by another student at the San Juan Promenade in the Croisee, in San Juan, on Wednesday afternoon.

Smith’s mother, Pauline Jacobs, told Newsday she is leaving the matter in the hands of God.

“The police know who did this to my son and I hope they arrest him soon,” Jacobs said.

Meanwhile, Smith said when he had finished his classes on the morning shift on the day of the incident, he went to the Croisee to take a taxi to go home.

“Several boys from the afternoon shift approached me and asked me if I am with the other boys from the morning shift,” Smith said.

Smith said he then steupsed and walked away, and was then stabbed in the back of his head by one of the boys with a knife.

He sustained a fractured skull which was penetrated by the knife, and injuries to his right wrist and lacerations to his chest. Smith said he was grateful to be alive.

According to police reports, Kareem Smith of Success Village in Laventille was stabbed during an altercation with another student from the same school at 12:30 pm.

Officers of the the San Juan Police Station, just a walking distance away, responded to the call and found Smith on the ground, gasping for breath. Two suspects between the ages of 14 and 15 are now in police custody in connection with the stabbing, sources revealed. They will be placed on ID parade.

The parents of the suspects were informed of the incident.

The suspects are in custody at the San Juan Police Station.

Teachers at the school claim there was no gang warfare, but it was just another unfortunate incident.

They claim it was rivalry among students of the different shifts.

Ministry of Education supervisor Manchoon Sookanan visited the school yesterday to investigate the matter.

PC Snaggs of the San Juan Police Station is continuing investigations.