Security firm boss arrested - Vere Tech guard had no gun permit
November 30, 2006
The head of Blade's Security Company was yesterday arrested for allowing the security guard involved in the shooting of five students at Vere Technical High School in the parish to carry a firearm without a licence or permit.
Cleon Marsh, Deputy Superintendent of Police at the May Pen Police Station, told The Gleaner yesterday that Samuel Tulloch was taken into custody for breaching the Private Security Regulations Act and is expected to be charged today.
Meanwhile, the security guard, Basil Brown, was yesterday charged with illegal possession of firearm and five counts of shooting with intent. He is to appear before the court today.
On Tuesday, the students, all boys aged between 15 and 17, were shot and injured. According to police reports, Mr. Brown said he was on the compound when he saw two men acting suspiciously. He was about to accost them when his gun went off accidentally, hitting the boys.
Classes were disrupted after the incident, with students and residents allegedly setting the security guard post on the compound ablaze in reprisal for the shooting.
The school administration has defrayed the medical expenses of the students who were injured in the shooting.
"Parents wanted to know how medical expenses would be taken care of, and the principal assured them as to what plans have been put in place for that," said Grantley Black, guidance counsellor at the institution.
Mr. Black added: "So far they were directed in terms of filling prescriptions and any other further expenses should be addressed to the school ... "
The guidance counsellor said classes resumed at the school yesterday morning following the disruption caused by Tuesday's incident. He also noted that members of the National Secondary Students' Council body visited the school and had meetings with students and some staff members....
Author: Petrina Francis & George Henry
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
