Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
THE PAST five weeks have been bittersweet for Moya McLean, the 13-year-old Charlie Smith High School student who was injured by a gunman's bullet last month.
The young girl was on her way home when she heard an explosion, then felt a burning sensation in her left shoulder.
SHOT CLOSE TO SCHOOL
According to police reports, she was shot near the intersection of West Road and Ninth Street, less than 50 metres from the school. She was reportedly hit during a clash between rival gunmen.
"She has since been traumatised," said Constable Rohan James, the school resource officer (SRO) assigned to at Charlie Smith. "The psychologist has recommended that she be relocated to another school."
Following a request from Moya's mother, the police went ahead and got her into a rural area-based high school where she feels safe. Moya told The Gleaner that she now becomes horrified whenever she hears gunshots.
SCARED SHE MIGHT DIE
"I am scared because I feel that if I get shot again, this time I might die, and I don't what to die," said the 13-year-old student who still loves Charlie Smith High with a passion.
"With the assistance of corporate citizens, we will be footing all the expenses," said Constable James, who is also in the process of assisting two other students whose lives have been threatened by gunmen.
The initiative taken by the police was confirmed by Superintendent Delroy Hewitt of the Denham Town Police who has personally played a vital role in getting Moya placed in a school located in a safer community.
PARENTS WISHED FOR TRANSFER
School principal Dennis Kelly said that since the shooting, the teenager returned to school but her parents wished to have her transferred.
He stressed that while there were still some isolated incidents in the vicinity of the school, attendance has not been affected.
The Charlie Smith High principal was among 50-plus teachers who stayed away from the classroom for two days to protest against the violence in the community. The protest action took place early last month, after one teenage student from Trench Town High School was raped and Moya was shot.
