Students of the Greater Portmore High School in St. Catherine cry openly at the school yesterday, after news spread that one of their schoolmates was shot and killed. Fifteen-year-old Tavia Smith and her six-year-old brother Tajax were murdered at their Portmore Lane home in the parish Wednesday night. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Rasbert Turner and Latoya Grindley, Gleaner Writers

Political leaders and advocates for children were among those who yesterday expressed shock while condemning the gruesome murder of the two children who were gunned down at their home in Portmore, St. Catherine, Wednesday night.

The children's father, Neville Smith said that he has given up on life as a result.

"I have nothing to live for now as they have taken all that I was living for. Nothing is left, I am now empty," said Mr. Smith.

Shocked and saddened

Mary Clarke, children's advocate, said that the office is shocked and saddened at the news of the killings.

"As a society, we should try to see children as trusting and vulnerable, in need of our love, care and protection, and not as objects to be violated, abused, treated violently for whatever purpose," said Ms. Clarke.

Police statistics show that last year, 65 children were killed in Jamaica. This was a decrease from 2005 when 89 children were murdered. Sixty-four children were killed in 2004.

Neville Smith told The Gleaner that his daughter, 15-year-old Tavia, and her brother Tajak, six, were at home at Robins Close off the Newland Road, about 7:45 p.m., when explosions were heard. Three men were seen running from the premises to a waiting white Toyota Corolla motor car in which they sped away.

His worst fears were realised when he walked to the grill of his veranda and first saw Tavia with what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the forehead in a pool of blood. Her sibling was found inside the house with gunshot wounds, he too was dead.

Jamaica Labour Party spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, said that he was extremely outraged by the brutal slaying of the children.

"It is a shame that such callous disregard for the lives of our children is being displayed in the midst of hosting Cricket World Cup 2007," said Mr. Smith.

"But it will be an even more serious blight if it continues unabated for the rest of the year," added the Member of Parliament.

Betty-Ann Blaine of Hear the Children's Cry said: "Children define and reflect who we are, and it (the murder of the children) says something about us as a society that ...the adults are incapable of protecting them ...".

Neville Smith told The Gleaner that he is a sub-contractor and to the best of his knowledge he has done no one any wrong nor is he involved in any wrong doing. The mother of the children had to seek medical attention as a result of the trauma.

Meanwhile, the school community has also expressed shock at the gruesome manner in which the children were killed. Tavia was a student at Greater Portmore High School and Tajak attended Southborough Primary in the parish.

Principal of Greater Portmore High, Eric Scott, became overwhelmed by the saddened atmosphere that had engulfed the school and subsequently broke down in tears.

"This is just a senseless killing. There is no safe zone anywhere, I mean no one can escape the wrath of modern day criminals," said Mr. Scott.

When the news team arrived at the school yesterday morning, students were seen standing in groups discussing the previous night's events.

In Tavia's classroom her classmates sat in groups, not saying much but their facial expressions and eyes told all they were feeling inside.

Tavia's best friend who stood in a corner reminisced on what her last words were to her.

"When I was leaving her at the bus stop after school I said tomorrow," said the friend, while she stared at the wall.

Meanwhile, teachers were busy lending support to the students but they themselves had a hard time dealing with it.

One teacher said: "Is just yesterday I talk to her".

In a counselling session with one of the school's guidance counsellors, the classmates wailed uncontrollably many times drowning the words of the counsellor.

Shelly-Ann Thompson also contributed to this story.