The Seaforth High School student who was stabbed to death on Monday died following a long-standing dispute between him and the boys now implicated in the incident. Both families are now trading blame over what they say were ignored warning signs.
Thirteen-year-old Kland Doyle’s death at the Morant Bay Transport Centre in St Thomas came as a shock to many, but the feud had been escalating for some time.
Relatives of the deceased say the feud between Kland and the boy accused of killing him was well known among both the families and even the police, who had reportedly intervened on multiple occasions.
“Dis never need fi happen,” a cousin said in a Jamaica Gleaner report. “A no likkle time police come and talk… but it never stop nothing.” Kland’s family maintains that he had been subjected to ongoing taunts, including claims about his sexuality, which they say followed him into the school environment and contributed to repeated confrontations.
They have also placed blame on the father of the accused boy, alleging that he played a role in fuelling the conflict. According to relatives, the man had spread rumours about the teen, which intensified tensions between the boys.
“Him parents dem no cooperative, a war dem a push,” the cousin added, suggesting that attempts at resolving the issue were not met with cooperation.
Kland’s grandparents echoed similar concerns, saying the teen had endured repeated harassment. His grandfather described him as “an easy-going likkle youth” who had been targeted and, at times, was even afraid to travel certain routes because of the ongoing issues.
His grandmother said the family had repeatedly sought help as tensions escalated, pointing to a previous altercation involving the same individuals that left him injured. She also indicated that the конфликт had reached a point where retaliation had become common.
On the other side, the parents of the accused boy have rejected claims that they were unwilling to resolve the dispute. The father said the situation had been ongoing for years and insisted his son had also been targeted.
The father alleged that his son had also been targeted over the years, describing what he called “bare antagonising” directed at his child. He acknowledged that tensions between the boys were known and said efforts had been made to address the situation, though those attempts were not successful. He admitted to sharing information about Kland but denied that it was intended to escalate into something more serious.
The boy’s mother, visibly distressed, said she never wanted the situation to end in death. She also claimed she had previously helped Kland, including assisting him with transportation, and insisted she had tried to intervene before. Both parents suggested that efforts by authorities to bring the families together had not resulted in any lasting resolution.
Some female students also weighed in on the situation, with one student expressing sympathy that the situation ended with one of her friends dying. However, she feels he also acted wrongfully during the altercations. Another said she believes the accused acted in self-defence, and that he and the victim had fought multiple times, and then the victim’s friend allegedly “box up” the accused.
“So he go bought a knife. mi Woulda I purchase a knife and stab him too. Of course mi woulda stab him,” the student said while speaking to CVM News reporter.
The knife was reportedly purchased at an establishment in the vicinity of the Morant Bay Transport Centre. The store accused of selling the student the knife has since denied doing so, while officials are urging the matter to be investigated and addressed appropriately.
Vendors who operate just outside the school also spoke about the frequency of fights involving students, describing it as an ongoing issue. One vendor said, “A bay a fight fight fight fight every day. A Everyday something.”
A long-time vendor expressed shock at how far things escalated, saying, “I’ve been here over 12 years and I’ve never seen it. Never. Them war but I’ve never seen somebody been kill a student like that.”
A minibus driver who transported the injured teen described the experience as deeply emotional, saying he was shaken by what had happened.
