Parents at the gates of Government High School after the stabbing incident. Photo: Terrel W. Carey
BY SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
A TEENAGE boy is in critical condition in hospital after he was stabbed multiple times during a brawl at Government High School yesterday morning which left two other students injured.
The fight took place shortly after 11am on the school’s Yellow Elder Gardens campus.
The three teens were injured during the argument between dozens of children during the schools first recess. Two of the boys are listed in stable condition while police said the other victim was critically injured. The school was immediately put on lock down while police processed the crime scene and spoke to witnesses.
Angry parents shouted outside the school’s main gate yesterday as they waited for the students to be released, with many in fear that one of their relatives had been injured.
In a 30-second video, taken during the fight and posted on social media, several students appear to be hitting and punching each other. One young man is seen on video with what appears to be a knife in his hand, running towards the fight.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said two young men, students of GHS, are in police custody assisting police with their investigation. ACP Dean said it is “unfortunate” that the incident occurred on the school’s campus. He said there was a school policing officer at the school at the time of the brawl but because of the size of the compound and the “large student population” it is a difficult school to police.
“Shorty after 11, the school was on break when there was an altercation between a group of students that led to one student being stabbed and two others being injured,” ACP Dean told reporters at the school.
“Three were taken to hospital, one is in critical condition the other two are stable.
“We are in the early stage of our investigation. We have interviewed students and teachers to determine who might be involved, we have an idea who the persons are that were involved in the fight. We are in the early stage of the investigation,” ACP Dean said.
“It is unfortunate that this happened on the school’s campus. We do have officers that work the school premises and we will continue to review our strategies to determine how best we can minimise such incidents. We can tell you that these things do not originate in the schools; these things are a wider implication of what is happening in our communities. It comes into the school but we are in the early stages of our investigation and we hope to bring it to a resolution.”
Anger
After being unable to contact their children for several hours, concerned parents gathered at the school’s main entrance demanding answers. One of those parents, Shandell Williams, said her son called her shortly after 11am in a panic to tell her “someone was trying to stab him.”
“My son called me from the office phone,” Ms Williams said. “He said ‘mommy the boys are trying to ‘juck’ me, the boys are trying to ‘juck’ me.’ The same time someone took the phone from him. I called back, no one answered the phone.
“I’m at the school and no one is saying anything, I haven’t been able to see him, hear from him, nothing. No one coming to the gate, no one saying anything, they just telling you to be quiet and wait. How you could let someone come that close to my child to say they going to ‘juck’ him? That feeling is indescribable. I need some information. I deserve that. He is only 15.”
Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said there have been several fights at GHS since school opened and “no one seems to care enough” to do anything about it.
“This isn’t anything new,” the parent said. “Everyday these kids been fighting since school open and no one is doing anything about it. The police station right there and they fighting everyday. My daughter is in grade 11 and she told me last week one guy got hit in his head, another boy get hit with a bottle, a boy was stabbed two days ago. Government High School students been fighting everyday. I am frightened to send my daughter to school,” she said.
ACP Dean said police received no reports of any incidents at GHS for the school year. However, he said, there “may have been incidents in the nearby neighbourhoods.”
Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes was on the scene shortly after the incident. He said the government should look at the proliferation of gangs and the impact they are having on schools.
“It spills over into the school and I am told that there is a gang situation happening in the schools,” Mr Forbes, a member of the governing Progressive Liberal Party, said. “Rival gangs meeting on the campus and fighting. I believe that we have to ensure that we can live as one. This situation with the gangs has been going on for too long and it has to be nipped in the bud. We need to explain to our children the dangers of being affiliated with any gang.”
Anyone with information on this incident is being asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.
The investigation continues.
http://youtu.be/-tqLB6-m4mQFormer Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Thompson's article on security in schools can be read HERE.
Comments
Regardless 7 years, 2 months ago
....animals have better tolerance and logic. Tourism is finished with this generation. Well done politicians on both sides.
Publius 7 years, 2 months ago
I get your frustration, but we have no role, primary at that, in how our own children turn out? It is a PLP or FNM's responsibility?
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 2 months ago
It's the breakdown of society. A few years ago single parenthood became "The norm", then teenage pregnancy became "cute". No one could foresee that lack of discipline and absent fathers could lead to the collapse of the entire society. No one has respect for anybody or any law.
The police need to get the streets in order NOW. And I'm talking about respect for the rules of the road. The number of persons that I see just driving through red lights as if it were nothing, is absolutely alarming. Some may say it's just a red light, but it's more than that, it's complete disrespect for the law, disrespect for police and disrespect for the other person who has the right of way. Get it in order now or suffer the unforeseen consequences 10 years from now. It's about enforcing discipline and respect for others and the law.
We are in TROUBLE. These little children have been TAUGHT to not respect anybody
Regardless 7 years, 2 months ago
It is guidance of culture, education and morals. Both parties have had far too many representatives laugh off behavior that should have never been tolerated. I have witnessed this far too many times. The big picture for the political elite of this country is the power of the purse and who they can divvy it up amongst. It is simply a lack of strong leadership with a long view for a better nation. Presently it is leadership which is reactive and greedy.
licks2 7 years, 2 months ago
Hats off. . .both parties over the years ignored experts in this country in favor of overseas consultants and "they friends ,families and lovers them" the lead the charge in decision making capacities who were and for the most part are still incompetent, intimidated by better trained returners, political and recycled even after they are retired. . .WE HAVE NO COGENT NATIONAL ACTION PLAN DESIGNED BY PERSONS TRAINED TO ADDRESS MALADAPTED BEHAVIOURS IN CHILDREN. . .I KNOW OF ONE SUCH EXPERT WHO HAS RECENTLY LEFT THE BAHAMAS TO TAKE A JOB AS PLANNER FOR REDUCTION OF YOUTH VIOLANCE IN A US STATE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE CCOUNTRY!!
THIS BAHAMAIN EXPERT SERVED UNDER AN UNTRAINED BAHAMIAN FOR YEARS BEFORE THEY BECOME FRUSTRATED AND FINALLY GIVE UP. . .UNCLE WAS ASKING TO COME WORK FOR THAT PERSON'S SKILLS FOR YEARS. . .WE LET A UNTRAINED PERSONS RUN THE THING FOR YEARS!
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 2 months ago
Typical. Why are Mrs Pratt, Mrs Reckley and Algernon Allen running that social program?. A PE Teacher, a Lunch Lady and a Lawyer. Does that look like anyone expects anything to come out of that program except an exercise program and some food? Those are fine objectives but they don't solve the problem.
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 2 months ago
I saw a bus driver on Madeira(?) drive through a red light possibly 20-30 secs after the green light came on on my side. That means his light turned red some 5-10 secs before, he was nowhere near the light when it turned red, but he came through without breaking speed. These fights in school and disrespect on the road are all the same thing. We haven't had the outbreak of road rage incidents yet, stop it before it starts.
Emac 7 years, 2 months ago
Oh I agree-One of my biggest pet peeve is the total disrespect of the roads by reckless and inconsiderate drivers. The problem is that it is not just a few citizens that are guilty of these crimes, but the majority of Bahamians show total disrespect to others on the road. They never use signal, they never dim their lights when necessary and now they have this habit of pulling out of a corner quickly without ever stopping. So my big question is, why are these churches so fill on Sunday and the same people who attend these churches wreak havoc on our society on a Monday? It makes me sick to the bone!
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 2 months ago
Yep all true, the police can't stop murder, but they can stop this street disorder.
Zakary 7 years, 2 months ago
The society is indeed breaking down. Top down, bottom up, however they say it. It’s also rather uncanny that there was a piece in the Nassau Guardian paper today about some CIA files that were recently declassified about Pindling in the late 1980’s.
Publius 7 years, 2 months ago
It is amazing to me how we automatically go to everyone other than ourselves to address the issue of the breakdown of the family. If I get someone pregnant and I am not the father that I ought to be, that is not a politician's fault or responsibility, it is mine. If a woman has a child and the same applies, no politician is to blame for this. What we are seeing is a breakdown of the family, and of morals and values in the society, and that stems from the home in the first instance. Children are coming into this world with no guidance, no rearing, no boundaries, no sound, strong examples of what and who they should aspire to be. The streets and television are raising many of these children and we are seeing the results. What we see politicians do and get away with is a by-product of who we are as a people and the prevailing mindsets in our society.
Regardless 7 years, 2 months ago
Sure, give the politicians a pass then. Wow!
Publius 7 years, 2 months ago
I can do nothing about your ability to comprehend what I say. That is not my responsibility once I write in a clear and cogent manner as I have done. It is not the politicians' responsibility either, ironically.
Sickened 7 years, 2 months ago
We need adults and the church to start convincing pregnant teenage kids to get abortions. Our society can no longer afford to have hundreds of unwanted children anymore. NO ONE can tell me that any family member cares about the parenting of the babies of these teenaged mothers. NO ONE!!!
Teleion 7 years, 2 months ago
https://www.facebook.com/bahsgodparen...">https://www.facebook.com/bahsgodparen...
licks2 7 years, 2 months ago
EVERYBODY SAW THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE CHILDREN. . .HOW IS IT SO THAT NOBODY SAW THE CONDITION OF THE SCHOOL? YOU HERD THOSE HUMANS MINDS IN A CONDITION OF SQUALOR AND EXPECT THEM TO ACT LIKE CHILDREN WITH HOPE? THE GOVERNMENT IS APPOINTED THE JOB AND RPOVIDED WITH FUNDS TO PROVIDE MEANS TO A DECENT TRAINNING FOR FUTURE CITIZENSHIP. . .YINNA GETTING WHAT YALL PAY FOR. . .YINNA LEADERS IGNORED THEIR PARENTS. . .THEY HAVE TO RELY HEAVILY ON THE GOVERMENT TO EDUCATE AND SOCIALIZE THEIR CHILDREN WHILE THEY WORK MULTIPLE JOBS FOR THE MOST PART. . .THEY ARE GETTING WHAT THEY "MADE".. .A ROOTLESS GENERATION. . .BUILT BY THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NATION. . .OUR LEADERS SEEM TO HAVE TOLD THEIR PARENTS "I EEN ON YALL RUN". . .NOW OUR LEADERS SEE THE RESULT OF IGNORING PARENTS AND EXPLOITING THEM FOR THEIR OWN ECONOMIC BENEFIT. . ."THEY UNSUPERVISED CHIRRINS DEM ARE COMMING TA GET YINNA". . .OUT OF ORDER, DISTRUCTIVE, INSENSSITIVE TO EACH OTHER AND APPEAARS TO NOT CARE WHAT DISTRUCTION THEY REEK ON THEIR SOCIETY! TELLING THEM TO THINK ABOUT THE EFFECT THEY ARE HAVING ON THE WELFARE OF THE NATION IS USELESS. . .NOW "THEY EEN ON YALL RUN". . .THIS YINNA NATION. . .NOT THEIRS. . .WHY SHOULD THEY CARE! THE LION SHARE OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC BENEFITS DONT' COME TO THEM AND THEIR PARENTS!
TalRussell 7 years, 2 months ago
Comrades! Time to renew with the old methods policing. Today's Bahamaland, the blacks have been freed from their white slave masters.... But both black and white citizens and residents are the ones now enslaved, voluntarily locked away in their homes behind security devices.
Prior to the abolition of slavery by Act of the British Parliament in 1834, there was a system of night patrols in New Providence called the Night Guard. The men forming this guard were not constables, but were also supervised by the local Magistrate. Their duties were primarily to protect the homes and businesses of the free population at night. In addition, the West India Regiment was stationed in Nassau to take care of any serious breach of peace throughout The Bahamas. These men were trained soldiers recruited from different ethnic groups in Africa and the Caribbean. They lived in barracks in isolation from the populations to ensure their loyalty in the event of local slave rebellions. In addition, their duties also included the protection of the Islands from foreign invaders. At that time, the barracks was situated on the site of the new Chinese (British Colonial) Hotel".....Right opposite the current US Embassy, which will soon be relocated - making it perfect place house night patrol forces.
sealice 7 years, 2 months ago
those parents must hate having to keep those white pants clean...... hard to get blood of it....PLP off to a good start in 2017 if they are trying to break their own murder record....
alfalfa 7 years, 2 months ago
The language in the video speaks to the lack of parental control and guidance as well as the supervision provided at government schools. Not to mention the fact that students can bring weapons to school. We are in dire straights and it is time for beefed up security and metal detectors at the schools.
DreamerX 7 years, 2 months ago
What control of gates was in place with an officer on campus that allowed a knife in.
licks2 7 years, 2 months ago
What and how is it different form that which come from the HOA, Chairman of the government party or MP Miller who said that someone needs to go upside Mr. Henfield's head with a bottle. . .. . OR!
Greentea 7 years, 2 months ago
stop blaming politicians and the village for these lost children. it helped that i had a grandfather with values and a mother who also had it because if it was left up to my pa i would be running the streets now. these boys are not being parented by mothers and fathers - the buck stops there as far as i am concerned. never once heard my mother blame a politician for my behavior or how bad or good i did in school so passing the buck on these kids is BS. their parents generation have done a piss poor job of raising them and thats the beginning and end of the story.
Publius 7 years, 2 months ago
Precisely
John 7 years, 2 months ago
Parenting is not a simple, easy task today and definitely requires the input of both parents. Children have the access to television, the internet and social media, electronic games that encourages violence, disrespect for authorities, and even murder. And of course cell phones. Most parents are not as technically savvy as their children and so they have no way of restricting their children from the usage of these devices or even censoring them. A broken society is usually a reflection of a broken family and the anger and violence and lack of tolerance built in so many is unbelievable. And yes it is reflected in the way they drive even. Some suggest that diet has strong influence on behavior and one fast food chain has been promoting its "angry" food for several years now. As if to give the message that being angry is being normal. And unfortunately there are families living in the same house that have little or no interaction with other. But they all have Facebook and so that is the behavior they reflect. They 'block ' people out of their lives and lose civil skills.
licks2 7 years, 2 months ago
THEY LEARNED HOW TO DO IT FROM YOU ELITES. . .THEY ARE MIRROWING YOU GUYS. . .YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. . .THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU! THE CHILDREN ARE IN-CHARGE OF SOCIAL ORDER. . .YOU ELITES ARE. . .LOOK AT YOUR FAILURE. . .Lol!
TalRussell 7 years, 2 months ago
Comrades! How many more school gates and walled-in communities will we build that count for nothing but to divide populations into lower and higher classes. Criminal thugs do not put the same confidence in gates and walls as the people behind them. When you build them higher, the thugs will climb over or dig under to come to harm you and your loved-ones - or bribe those you pay guard them. So foolish to have such false faith in walls and gates - and if that doesn't work in their favour - they will wait to harm you when you're entering or exiting your security protected gates..
Godknows 7 years, 2 months ago
The problem in today's society stems from the root being broken, through transitioning of the generations. "we are a chiristian nation" correction, we were a christian nation. We have become a nation that relys on immitating everyone else. As i look at our Bahamian people i see the world on our streets, in our homes on our jobs. What i dont see are Bahamians. The things poeopl wear, the way they conduct themselves, the way they speak with so much hatred, disrespect and disregard for life, For humanity is outright ridiculous. Bahamians have chosen to accept livining in sin, as way of life. To blend in, to be like the rest of the world rather than the way of God. The true heritage that was handed down to us by our forefathers. Bahamians are rejecting God, and Gods way and we can clearly see the result of that. Yes we had values because it was thought to us by God fearing parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and the entire neighborhood in which we lived. How can one teach something they themselves dont know. Children live what they learn, Bahamians have become immitators, children follow suit. Jesuse Christ is the sin cleanser not politicians. But he must be our first choice. Everything that is happening has happen God word teachers us that their is nothing new under the sun.Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. and we should not be surprise for all this will happen in the last days.Matthew 24:6-10 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Humanity has become selfish, their hearts are cold. Matthew 24:12 And because inquity(SIN) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Choosing Sin and rejectiing Jesus. Is the problem. We need to accept our true inheritance. Go back to being one nation under God, this begins with unity of agreemnt that we are all resposile for our Bahama land. A unified decision to change it, and a unified commitment to make it happen. We are failing because we have become devided. God is able to restore that which we has lost, but we must seek him trust and allow him to.
Sickened 7 years, 2 months ago
I saw the long video of the fight and the kid getting stabbed. What I didn't see was a teacher/adult in that video. When the bells sound between classes, teachers should be outside of the classroom monitoring the kids. Any big gathering of kids should draw attention and teachers should be near by. A teacher with a taser could have stopped that incident a lot quicker. Our schools are just like our streets - there is never anyone around that can help or enforce the rules. This whole country is a free for all and it is our kids that are losing their lives as a result!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 2 months ago
Teachers do not get paid to break up fights ........ school administrators, school security and on-site police do that ......... check the CBA ....... The unruly children who are suspended from school need to be put in a bootcamp facility for a minimum of 6 weeks intense rebooting of their anti-social behaviour ....... What ever happened to Star Academy??????
realfreethinker 7 years, 2 months ago
Ain't perry them say they have police in the schools?
Gotoutintime 7 years, 2 months ago
You think things are bad now?? Just wait till these kids start to come out of school and find that there are no jobs---This time will feel like a joke---I pity the Bahamas.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 2 months ago
Sadly there are well-known Bahamians taking advantage of this fear of crime situation to unjustly enrich their friends and family members seeking to derive great profits from providing neighbourhood security services in areas where they themselves own property or are involved in property development activities. More often than not, opening up or exposing a neighbourhood to such security services results in the opposite effect desired because the security providers themselves (or their family members or close friends), armed with additional information gathered about the neighbourhood's residents, begin to prey on the very people they are supposed to be protecting in an effort to justify their existence and/or make "good easy money" on the side by burglaries and home invasions that would not have otherwise been experienced by the neighbourhood's residents, especially those residents who refuse to ante up the coercive monthly payments demanded of the security service providers. Most Bahamians would be wise to educate themselves on what happened to residents of Blair Estates and many other similar neighbourhoods whose fears were preyed upon by very opportunistic security service providers! There is really no substitute today for neighbours looking out for each other and having a licensed firearm that they know how (and are not afraid) to use when absolutely necessary.
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