Gia Griniell
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Gia's godmother Erlal Martin-Mattrasingh and Councillor Mario Mitchell of the Bellefield Division
Gia Griniell, the four-year-old who died from a bullet wound inflicted with her mother's licensed firearm in Manchester in May, was on Thursday remembered as a beautiful child and old soul at a thanksgiving service in the parish capital.
The incident occurred at the family home in Ingleside Boulevard, Hanbury district.
Mourners from across Manchester packed into the Goodness and Mercy Temple Apostolic Church in Mandeville to bid farewell to the once bubbly child and give support to her grief-stricken parents.
Gia's godmother Erlal Martin-Mattrasingh, who gave the remembrance, reflected on her life in an interview with Radio Jamaica News after the service.
"Based on hearing all the tributes today, it referred to her being a beautiful child, a child that seemed to have been here a long time ago. When you look at cross-sections of persons in the church, it's varied, and there are mostly older persons here, and that just goes to show the type of child that was little Gia was."
She said the family has been struggling to cope with the loss.
Meanwhile, Councillor for the Bellefield Division, Mario Mitchell, also spoke on behalf of the Manchester Municipal Corporation where Gia's father is a supervisor.
Mr. Mitchell said he is pleased with the tremendous support that has been shown to the grieving family.
"We are happy in terms of how the people would have responded here this afternoon and it shows you that we care and we will stand by the family to ensure that we continue to give them the support."
Gia's mother, Yanique Brown, is to return to the Manchester Parish Court on July 23. She is charged with child negligence, breach of duty to securely store firearm and breach of duty to securely store ammunition in relation to the shooting.
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