Grief overwhelmed the father of 16-year-old Devonie Shearer as he spoke about the devastating loss of his son, who died after a violent altercation at Ocho Rios High School. Milton Shearer did not know that when his son went to school on Wednesday morning, he would not come home.
Devonie had left home in Buckfield Road for school like any other day, but in the afternoon, tragedy unfolded. While at school, the Grade 10 student became involved in a physical confrontation with another student, a 17-year-old boy.
Reports indicate that during the fight, the other student allegedly used a metal chair to strike Devonie in the back of the head. The blow left the teen critically injured, and he was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical treatment. Despite efforts to save him, Devonie succumbed to his injuries.
Mr Shearer struggled to hold back tears as he recounted the moment he learnt that something awful had occurred. He said he was at work when he received the alarming call that his son had been taken to the hospital. Shocked and confused, he immediately went to Ocho Rios High School, hoping to find out what had happened.
However, Mr Shearer said that when he arrived at the institution, he was unable to get clear answers from staff about the situation. Still searching for information, he then went to the hospital, where he was met with the devastating confirmation that his son had died.
The grieving father said the loss has left him struggling to cope, as he continues to question why such a tragedy had to befall his child. “Mi a wonder, I ask God, why me? Why me? “A weh mi do inna life? God mek dis happen to me,” he told CVM News.
Mr Shearer described Devonie as a quiet and well-behaved teenager. He said the young boy, like many teenagers his age, mostly spent his time on his phone and playing games when he was not attending school. Among his children, Mr Shearer said he shared an especially close bond with Devonie.
“He’s the best… “I love all of my kids, but boy, this one here came like my life,” the father continued. One conversation now lingers painfully in his mind. According to Mr Shearer, the night before the incident, Devonie spoke about his plans to do well in life so he could support his family.
The teenager had expressed a desire to get a good job one day and help his mother and sister live a better life. He even spoke about wanting to move them from their rural community to an urban area where there would be greater opportunities.
During an emotional interview with CVM News, the grieving father struggled to contain his sorrow as he reflected on his son’s dreams and the life that was suddenly cut short. At one point, the pain became overwhelming, and he struck nearby objects as the weight of the loss consumed him.
Devonie had only transferred to Ocho Rios High School last September. The 17-year-old student accused of attacking him is also a Grade 10 student who reportedly enrolled at the school just last month. The 17-year-old remains in police custody as investigators continue probing the circumstances that led to the fatal altercation.
