BLOODY BRAWL

The Hanover police are probing whether gang activities have taken root at the Hopewell High School after a bloody bust-up involving students, which resulted in the premature suspension of classes yesterday as safety concerns heightened.

Three students were reportedly injured in the brawl, but none of the injuries have been considered life-threatening.

According to reports, about 11 a.m. on Monday, three male students were allegedly spray-painting the emblem ‘Sparta’ on a section of the compound of the Hanover-based school, when they were approached by a group of other male students who opposed their actions.

Stones and weapons were reportedly drawn in an ensuing clash, which resulted in three of the students receiving injuries.

One student reportedly made a threat and exited the compound, striking fear into administrators and fellow students, resulting in the police being called and classes being suspended immediately.

When The Gleaner visited the school yesterday, the principal and most of the administrators had already left the compound as a safety precaution, but a police team was seen patrolling the grounds and the roadway in the vicinity of the institution.

Superintendent Sharon Beeput, head of the Hanover Police Division, told The Gleaner that boys are believed to be relatives of an incarcerated entertainer.

“An investigation will be conducted to see if any criminal activities are taking place at this institution,” Beeput stated. “Based on the Criminal Justice Suppression of Crime Organization Act, a gang is a criminal organisation, and as such, we will have to conduct an investigation into any reported group or crew within the school who are perceived to be a gang or involved in friction with other students.”

Beeput said that the police will be keeping a close eye on the school with officers from the Community Safety and Security Branch set to visit the institution today. Special officers will be posted at the school to avoid an escalation of events, she added.

This latest incident follows several other bloody clashes between students at schools across western Jamaica since March, when many students were returning to the classroom for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced lessons online in March 2020.

One such incident occurred at William Knibb Memorial High school in Trelawny, when grade 10 student Khamal Hall was fatally stabbed on March 21, reportedly during a dispute over a guard ring.

At the Petersfield High School in Westmoreland, a 15-year-old female student was stabbed during a confrontation with another pupil, also in March.

Other stabbing incidents have also involved students from Maggotty High in St Elizabeth and Muschett High in Trelawny.

hopeton.bucknor@gleanerjm.com