By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Monique Thomas, 11, was shot in the mouth. One of her front teeth was chipped by the bullet and right Tishana Redwood, a 13-year-old student of Norman Manley High, was shot in the left shoulder. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
THE PAST two weeks have been traumatic for Tishana Redwood. But since her discharge from hospital two days ago, things have become even worse. She has been waking up screaming at nights, begging adult relatives to stay in her room with her.
The 13-year-old Norman Manley High School student has been experiencing flashbacks to October 27, the night when she and four other children were shot by gunmen during a drive-by attack in Greenwich Farm, Kingston.
"The doctor said my bone is broken," said Tishana whose right shoulder is now in bandages, held together with a surgical pin to support the fractured bone.
That experience has left her emotionally scarred. Any explosive sound now gets her nervous and sends her scurrying under her bed.
According to clinical psychologist Dr. Ruth Doorbar, her behaviour is typical of children who are exposed to violence in inner-city communities and are suffering from regression.
"It (regression) is a post-traumatic anxiety. It makes children start acting like they are much younger. It is a defence mechanism," Dr. Doorbar explains.
According to her, young children are scared to death and at nights, it is customary for them to wet their beds or cling tightly to their parents or guardians when they hear gunshots. She suggested that Jamaica was experiencing a state of anarchy when rival gangs shoot at everybody during reprisal attacks.
"They don't care nor are they sorry for who they shoot. The only person they are sorry for is themselves or persons close to them," said Dr. Doorbar.
Tishana, who will be absent from school for at least nine weeks, said on the night of the incident she and her best friend and schoolmate, Shawna Palmer, had accompanied somebody to the gate at premises on Central Avenue where they had gone to a birthday party.
"When I heard the gunshots, I grabbed up my two little nephews and ran. I began crying because I did not know what was happening, then shortly after I feel my shoulder burning, that was when I realised I was shot," Tishana told The Gleaner yesterday.
Palmer, 13, died on the spot after being struck in the head by a bullet from a high-powered rifle. Monique Thomas, an 11-year-old student preparing for GSAT exam next year, was hit on the top lip, the bullet exited and chipped one of her front teeth. Another teenager, Adrian Wallace, was shot twice in the left leg, while a 14-months-old infant is still in intensive care.
Adrian said he had gone to purchase ice cream from a house on Central Avenue.
"I was sitting on the verandah at the house when I heard the gunshots. I saw fire and smoke on the walls. First I thought it was fire-crackers, when I realised that it was gunshot; I thought I was going to die. Later on I feel my toe and foot burning me, then I saw the blood and somebody said I got shot," young Adrian recalled.
Like Tishana, he gets nervous at the sound of every explosion and wants to hide under the bed. He is also afraid to go on the street.
Monique had also gone to purchase ice cream when she was shot.
"When I heard the gunshots I ran inside the house where the ice cream was selling. My lip was burning, I did not know that I got shot," said little Monqiue.
She was in hospital for five days and was badly shaken up, but has since recovered to an extent where she is ready to return to school next week. Leonie Tennant, the grandmother of 14-month-old Maleke Palmer, said the toddler was still in hospital.
"The doctor said it is a 50-50 chance, but hopefully he will pull through," said Ms. Tennant.
Reports are that the infant was shot in the abdomen. It's reported that his kidney and liver were partially damaged.
Head of the St. Andrew South Police Division, Superintendent Newton Amos, said the police are yet to apprehend the perpetrators involved in the attack on the children. According to the officer, a suspect was picked up but because of insufficient evidence he had to be released.
