Rasbert Turner and Dionne Rose, Gleaner Writers

Two teenagers and their mother are now dead following a vicious attack in their home by a 28-year-old relative.

Their alleged killer is the woman's son, who is also the brother of the teenage boys.

A three-year-old girl and her mother were taken to hospital yesterday in serious condition after they were injured in the same incident.

Those killed are 55-year-old Myrtle Oliver, 14-year-old St. Catherine High student, Omar Oliver, and 17-year-old Jose Marti student, Omeil Oliver.

According to the Spanish Town police, about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, the Olivers were at home in the Twickenham Heights area, outside of Spanish Town, St. Catherine, when Christopher Oliver came by the house and a dispute developed between him and his sister when he used a sledgehammer to attack her and her three-year-old daughter.

The Gleaner understands that, when the mother rushed to the assistance of her daughter, Mr. Oliver also attacked her and his other two brothers, whom he beat to death. He then fled the scene of the crime.

When The Gleaner visited the upscale and quiet community Thursday night, relatives and neighbours could be seen comforting each other as they wept uncontrollably. They however refused to speak with The Gleaner.

The police said Mr. Oliver, within the last few days, had been acting suspiciously and was said to have been involved in witchcraft.

The St. Catherine North Police are currently conducting investigations and have also recovered the sledgehammer that was used to kill the victims.

Representatives from the trauma unit of the Ministry of Education and Youth were seen at the Jose Marti Technical High School, where Omeil was a student, giving counselling to peers in his class.

Bevar Moodie, principal at the school, said it was a tragic situation and that, although Omeil had recently been transferred there, the children were still mourning the tragic circumstances under which he met his death.

"It's a sad day and we are trying to cope with the situation," he said.

A sombre mood

Students were in a sombre mood at the St. Catherine High School where Omar was enrolled and, according to Sharlene Chavlas, the principal's secretary, personnel from the Education Ministry were also counselling the children in Omar's class.

A search was underway for Mr. Miller.

Meanwhile, Children's Advocate Mary Clarke has expressed regret at the painful and tragic death of the two children and their mother. She however urged members of the public to seek to protect children from persons who are of unsound mind or seen acting strangely.

"Let us always be very vigilant and seek to protect our children as best as we can from situations and persons that may place their safety at risk," she said in a statement.