Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Scared for their lives since gunmen have been launching attacks on the young and innocent, some children yesterday pleaded with killers to spare the lives of children, who they say are the nation's future.

"It's time for you to stop killing us and take away the future!" said 16-year-old Shaniel Walters, vice-president of the National Secondary Schools Council.

"It's inhumane and the Government needs to put measures in place which will not only protect children but also other members of the society," she added.

More than 20 children have been murdered since the start of the year, four of whom were killed in September.

No longer feels secure

Shaniel said she no longer feels secure at home or on the streets.

"At this point in time, we don't know who will be next because children are no longer being spared.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Anique Mighty described the killing of children as cruel and shocking.

"This is cruelty. It is unbelievable that they have stooped to that level and taking children's life," Anique told The Gleaner yesterday.

She added: "These people really need help. Killing on a whole is pointless, but killing a child robs him or her of the opportunity to make life for him or herself."

And 13-year-old Amouy Stennette condemned the killing of children.

"I really think people are just evil and they should not do that because children are the next generation," said Amouy.

Gleaner/Children's Own Spelling Bee champion Regina Bish urged killers to seek help, saying that something is wrong with persons who snuff out people's lives, especially that of children.

"I can't believe that gunmen are now targeting children," Regina lamented.

"I wonder what they live for, what goes through their minds," Regina queried.

"They need to sit down and think it over and realise what they are doing. Seek help, go to church or talk to a psychiatrist because something must be wrong for you to be killing children," Regina told, The Gleaner.

"They have no right to be killing children because they are innocent and have not done anything," 11-year-old Deandre Burbridge said.