The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

NEARLY a year after witnessing her father’s murder at just four years old, Quay’liah Arnett again found comfort in the arms of Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings — this time as she celebrated her fifth birthday.

The killing of Quintero Arnett, 24, in February last year stunned the country and left his family grieving a loss that remains raw. CCTV footage of the early-morning shooting showed gunmen opening fire as Quintero’s young daughter fled for her life, a sequence that sparked widespread outrage and disbelief at the brutality of the attack. No charges have even been brought against those responsible.

Since then, public sympathy has followed the family’s calls for justice, alongside hopes that a wider community would help shield Quay’liah from the trauma she endured. One figure who has quietly become part of that support network is CSP Skippings, officer in charge of the South-Central Division.

On Tuesday, CSP Skippings shared photographs on Facebook of herself embracing Quay’liah on her birthday. The images closely echoed a photograph taken by The Tribune last February, when the senior officer visited the child shortly after her father’s death. In both moments, Quay’liah smiled brightly despite the violence that had upended her life.

Speaking with The Tribune, CSP Skippings said she has remained in contact with Quintero’s family since the killing and arranged for the child to visit the police station for a birthday surprise, with the permission of her grandfather. Quay’liah was given a new doll and a pair of headphones.

“These little acts of kindness, they go a long way,” CSP Skippings said. “This is how the police transform and develop trust in our young people, when they see that constant interaction of love and care and concern being expressed.”

She said her involvement extends well beyond a single celebration, adding that she wants Quay’liah to grow up knowing that law enforcement remains part of her support system.

“We still have an interest in her to ensure that she still receives that love that she ought to get,” she said, while praising the child’s family for the care they continue to provide.

CSP Skippings said she hopes Quay’liah will grow into a responsible citizen and retain the joyful spirit she has shown despite her loss.

“She was in high spirits, still have that beautiful smile that she exhibited last year. It's important for her to see that law enforcement still cares.”

Family members have described Quintero as a devoted father and hard worker with no involvement in criminal activity, insisting he was not the intended target.

CSP Skippings said she had met Quintero just one day before he was killed, recalling seeing him at the police station’s basketball court with his daughter and another relative. She described him as a positive young man with a promising future.

“I feel a sense of obligation to constantly be there for her, you know, and to mentor her as best as I can,” she said.

Quintero’s father, Quinton Arnett, said the continued presence of CSP Skippings has brought comfort as the family continues to grieve. He said his granddaughter frequently asks for her father or says she misses him, but is still too young to fully grasp that he will not return.

Reflecting on the months since his son’s death, Mr Arnett said: “I take it one day at a time. I'll be honest with you every single day I think about him.”

He added that it remains painful knowing those responsible have not yet been brought to justice, stressing that accountability is still outstanding.

Mr Arnett said he hopes Quay’liah grows up knowing how deeply her father loved her.

On the morning of the murder, Quintero was sitting in a vehicle with his daughter and girlfriend outside a business when another car pulled up. Masked gunmen got out and opened fire.

In his final moments, Quintero opened the back door to allow his daughter to escape CCTV footage showed the child briefly turning back toward him as the gunmen circled. He appeared to speak one last word before collapsing. The child then ran as the gunfire continued.