A Form 3 student at West St. George Secondary School was found stabbed to death in Arnos Vale on October 9, sparking national debate that has drawn scrutiny from government ministers.
Tafari Browne, 17, lay unresponsive with stab wounds when discovered at 6:30 a.m. He was rushed to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital but could not be saved.
During Thursday's parliamentary sitting, Youth Minister Kaschaka Cupid told lawmakers that public reaction to the killing emerged "for the wrong reasons", without clarifying his meaning. Cupid represents West St. George in parliament. "It's unfortunate that his passing would have created a national, basically a national outcry for the…wrong reasons," he said. He expressed pain at seeing young people drawn into crime and pledged government support for Browne's family, particularly his grandmother.
Opposition Senator Carlos James described Browne as "gone too soon" and his death as "quite senselessly" taken. James urged leaders and community figures to unite in tackling youth violence, which he identified as an expanding problem nationwide.
Education Minister Philip Jackson noted that some pupils displayed indifference following the attack on their schoolmate. Speaking to NICE Radio, Jackson stressed that school violence demands coordinated action involving families, communities, police and the state.
Family and Gender Affairs Minister Laverne Gibson-Velox called on the public to refrain from speculation and unverified claims while police carry out their inquiry.
The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force confirmed investigations remain active. No arrests or charges have been reported.
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