Ministers Visit Family of Slain Spanish Town Baby

Cabinet is to decide on a package of assistance for the family of the eleven-month-old baby boy, Broderick Ashmade Wright, who was allegedly killed by a policeman’s bullet in March Pen Road, Spanish Town on Thursday.
Two senior Government officials, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles and Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, told the family during a visit on Saturday morning (March 8), that the Prime Minister Hon Bruce Golding had instructed that the Government should underwrite the costs of the funeral arrangements.
Minister Charles said Cabinet would be discussing the issue on Monday.
Both ministers prayed with the family and assured them that the Government would be giving every assistance possible, as they attempt to pick up their lives following the tragedy.
Minister Charles assured the child’s mother, 21-year-old Janice Knight, that the Minister of National Security, Hon Derrick Smith had given instructions for a full and thorough investigation into the matter.
“This is a period of grief. We have to await the results of the post mortem and the investigation. This is not a political mission and members of both sides of the Parliament share in your sorrow. We are here because the Prime Minister and his wife and family have asked us to say a special word of comfort to you,” he said.
Minister Grange said she was distressed and saddened at the events.
“Unfortunately you have to be grieving when you should be celebrating, today, International Women’s Day. This is a very sad occasion. We need to have a balance between law and order and disorder. It goes for all of us, law enforcement and citizens.
“Even as this family is celebrating the 100th birthday of one of their elders, we see one so young being cut down. While we await the outcome of the investigations, we hope that this incident will not contribute to a further deterioration of an already fractured and injured relationship between the police and the citizens.
“I am making a special appeal for restraint because the peace and stability of this area are critical to the development of Spanish Town. If there is tension and violence, we won’t see the improvements we need.
Janice Knight said: “I want to thank you and the Prime Minister. I know that whatever you do cannot bring back my baby, but I appreciate your assistance.”
Minister Grange thanked the community for rallying around the family. “We hope that this could be replicated around the country and we could show more love and solidarity for each other,” she said.