Murder-suicide leaves boy orphaned

A 10-year-old Clarendon boy has been left orphaned following what the police believe to be a case of murder-suicide involving his parents.

Twenty-eight-year-old Christina Dawkins, a student at the University of Technology, was allegedly shot dead by her common-law husband, 35-year-old Junior Wallace, a lance corporal in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), at their home in the small rural community of Park Hall, near James Hill in northern Clarendon.

"He loved his mother very very much. He loved his father too, but when his mother is around, he tends to cling to her more, so he must be devastated," said Vincent Temple, a relative.

The Constabulary Communication Unit said the police were summoned to the scene after explosions were heard. On their arrival, Dawkins and Wallace were both seen lying in a pool of blood. A Glock pistol was removed from the scene.

When The Gleaner visited Park Hall yesterday, huge clouds hung as if to mimic the somber mood of the community. One resident said she has never seen anything like this happened in the community before and all of the community was grieving.

The relatives of Dawkins were still trying to come to terms with the reality that their loved one was gone from their lives and would never be coming back.

"I am angry. The family is hurt, and we are all upset over this tragic incident," said Temple, her uncle. "That's what we are feeling right now more than ever."