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Seven-year-old shot dead

Seven year-old Shaneal Raffington who was shot and killed by gunmen on Grants Pen Avenue, St. Andrew, Sunday night. - CONTRIBUTED

WHAT SHOULD HAVE been a normal walk from church for Sherene Fraser and her children turned into a nightmare on Sunday after her daughter was shot dead by gunmen along Grants Pen Avenue, St Andrew.

Seven-year-old Shaneal Raffington died in the wee hours of Monday morning despite doctor's attempts to save her. Shaneal was said to have been a victim of an ongoing gang feud that has been going on for several months in the community.

Fraser was returning from the Church of God and Saints of Christ in Mountain View with her daughter and son and had got off the bus on the main road and was walking home when the tragedy occurred.

Only a few yards from her home, gunmen jumped from behind a truck and started firing several shots. The mother's attempts to shield her daughter were not enough and a bullet hit Shaneal in the head. Later when Shaneal was pronounced dead at hospital it seemed too much for her mother to bear as she had to be given medical treatment.

Owen Fraser, Shaneal's uncle, said his sister and her children were walking home and Shaneal had greeted several people along the way who had responded to the friendly child.

"She walk go up a little and she was about five houses away from here (her house) when she pass two boys behind the truck. Then dem jump out and fire two shot. Mi sista jump paan dem (the children) and cover dem, but she did get lick already. The man dem continue fire whole heap a shot," he said.

Fraser said when the gunfire ended, his sister called for help and one of her brothers came and rushed them to hospital. However that was not enough for Shaneal. She was taken to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) but despite doctors attempts at surgery and other medical treatment, she died.

Police report that the child was shot around 9:00 p.m., and died at about 12:30 a.m. yesterday morning.

The gunmen, THE STAR understands, were aiming for members of an opposing gang with whom they have been feuding, however according to residents none of the gang members were even on the scene. The Constant Spring Police are investigating.