Schoolgirl, 14, hit by stray bullet

Joanne Jackson, a Form Two student of the Morvant Laventille Secondary School, was treated at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and discharged .

The bullet passed through her leg and left a flesh wound.

The traumatised schoolgirl told Newsday that the incident has left her in a state of shock and sadness. She said she is now afraid to venture out of her home and is calling on young people to put down their guns and live a God-fearing life.

Jackson, whose goal is to become a lawyer, said that she was standing in the yard washing clothes when she heard a loud explosion at about 6.15 pm on Wednesday.

She said the place was a bit dark because the streetlights at Hitler Trace, where she resides, have not been functioning for quite a while.

The schoolgirl said that she saw a man armed with a gun chasing another and firing shots wildly in the dark. She said she could not identify the two men because of the darkness.

Grimacing in pain, Jackson said she felt a burning sensation in her right leg and saw blood oozing from the spot.

She alerted her mother Anise Jack and she was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Doctors at the hospital cleaned the wound and kept her at Ward 23 for observation.

Jackson was discharged at about 3 pm yesterday and told to return to the hospital to have the wound cleaned and dressed. She said she was looking forward to returning to school, but is saddened and distressed by the crime in the country.

She said she never thought that she could be shot right in her front yard.

Her mother Anise told Newsday she is grateful that her daughter is alive.

She is also concerned about the spate of crime in the country and feels the authorities are not doing enough to rid the country of illegal guns and flush out the criminal elements.

Officers of the Besson Street Police Station are investigating.