By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
NEARLY 150 mourners gathered at the St Anne’s Anglican Parish yesterday for a funeral service for 16-year-old Adonai Wilson who was fatally stabbed during a fight with several schoolmates earlier this month.
Family and friends of the 12th grader were joined by Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell and St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, with both men using the opportunity to renew pledges to support the youth of their respective communities.
Father Hugh Bartlett, the parish’s priest, pleaded with those in attendance to use the life and subsequent death of the teenager as a reflection of the societal flaws that exist in The Bahamas.
According to the priest, as a nation, the Bahamas has developed a chaotic nature that has resulted in a shift from “spiritual principles” that once kept the country “grounded.”
Father Bartlett applauded both Mr Mitchell and Mr Chipman, who sat next to each other during the service, for the message of unity and hope their actions have spurred in their respective constituencies in the wake of this tragedy.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s service, Mr Mitchell insisted that while it is clear social intervention and school outreach programmes are incapable of attracting and mentoring every school age child, the effort still has to be made to convince them that they are loved and appreciated.
He praised the work of education officials, particularly officials at the Doris Johnson High School where Wilson and the three teens accused of his murder were all enrolled.
“This tragedy doesn’t stand as a result their actions, failures or successes, no it isn’t. The school board, the principal, the teachers, they are all doing all they can and we as a community have to continue to support them through our actions and words,” he added.
Wilson was stabbed multiple times on December 9 during a fight that took place nearly a mile away from the Doris Johnson High School. He died in hospital a short time later.
Addressing the nation’s crime statistics, Mr Chipman expressed great concern.
“We cannot go through another year like this. At the moment, we are looking at 143 murders thus far for the year, that indicates that we need to get down to the cause; the people, our kids, our family,” Mr Chipman said.
“Mr Mitchell and myself came here this morning and I think it is important to show that we are here for our communities, the families, the kids and the schools. I am willing and ready to go into any school once the call is made.”
Three teens – ages 15, 16, and 18 – have been charged in connection with Wilson’s murder.
Comments
Publius 8 years, 3 months ago
A funeral was held for a promising young school-aged Bahamian cut down by his peers before his life ever really got started, and the entire story here is about two politicians who attended his funeral. Need I say more about why we are the way we are? Could we not get a story about this young man's life? His family and what they are going through? How the students are coping with this tragedy? How/if they expressed themselves at the funeral and what was shared? Can we actually focus on the life and the person, instead of on politicians who show up to run on then run back to their ivory towers?
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