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By Racquel Porter/Clinton McGregor
A cloud of sadness hung over Haile Selassie High School on Friday morning as the staff and students mourned the brutal murder of grade nine student Price Johnson.
The 14-year-old was sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times at her Palm Grove Court apartment on Spanish Town Road Thursday afternoon.
She was rushed to hospital where she died while being treated.
Price would have turned 15 on February 21.
School administrators held an extended devotion Friday morning to facilitate a grieving process for students and staff.
A sombre mood permeated the teen's classroom as some of her classmates gazed out the windows in an attempt to mask their tears while others wept openly.
Even the guidance counsellors struggled to contain their emotions, with one sobbing as she collapsed into the arms of her colleagues.
One student said Price was almost like his sibling.
"Sometime mi go her class and look fi her... so mi reallly feel it fi know that happen. And mi always a seh a mi sister same way, no matter what."
A student of Haile Selassie High School.
Principal Anniona Jones lamented the tragic circumstances under which the teenager died in what should have been a safe place.
"For persons to hear her scream for help, and to think it is OK to pull for their phone and to record for clicks and likes; it is evil, not just the act, but the response of persons who could have helped," said the principal, acknowledging that staff and students, while grieving, are also angry.
The Ministry of Education in condemning the barbaric act called for all Jamaicans be more vigilant in protecting children.
Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said the ministry is committed to supporting the school family and is urging members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the arrest of the perpetrator who is said to be of unsound mind.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for South West St. Andrew Dr. Angela Brown Burke has strongly condemned the brutal assault of the teenager and has called for swift justice.
Dr. Brown Burke said no family should have to endure such unimaginable pain, and no community should have to live in fear of such heinous acts.
She urged the police to conduct a thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is served.
Dr. Brown Burke further reiterated the urgent need for stronger mental health interventions and community-based support to prevent such tragedies.
In the meantime, Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, head of the Area 4 Police, has condemned the actions of individuals who have been circulating videos of the body of the teenager on social media.
He said the Police High Command is increasingly concerned about people recording and circulating videos of people in distress or the bodies of victims including children.
"Recently, we have witnessed a very disturbing trend. A trend of unkindness towards one of our own, a victim of a serious crime. To the victim family, really, I want to say that I'm deeply sorry for what you have endured. Your pain and suffering are valid and I know you deserve our compassion, empathy and support. To our community, I urge you to reflect on your actions. We can do better and we must do better. Our actions are power and it's our responsibility to use that power to uplift," he charged.
Members of the public have expressed concern that those who found the badly wounded teenager in her house were inclined to record a video of her instead of immediately rendering assistance.
ACP Phipps said the police are "making steady progress" in the investigations and hope to make a breakthrough in the case soon.
He urged anyone with information to contact the police. He also appealed for residents to leave the investigation to the police and not to take matters into their own hands.
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