June 3, 2004 – In a visit to Education Complex High School and Vocational School on Thursday, two days after a 19-year-old was shot to death on the campus, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull urged students "not to seek out retaliation."
In his morning visit to the facility, located across the road from the University of the Virgin Islands campus, the governor met with a conflict resolution task force to offer assistance to students, teachers and administrators, according to a Government House release.
A 17-year-old Central High School student has been charged with first-degree murder in the case; three of his comrades face weapons charges.
Turnbull, a career educator, expressed his horror at the shooting, extended his condolences to the family of the slain student, Jahmalie Henry, and noted that "families on both sides are affected by this tragedy," the release stated.
"Scores are being settled on our school campuses without regard for human life," the governor said, "and we must begin to take a closer look at the way we deal with conflict resolution … Our homes, churches, neighborhoods and schools must become safe refuges, and not dormitories of pain."
As Complex students return to the campus for final exams on Friday and Monday, Turnbull said, they "should feel confident" because school administrators are working with the Police Department "to create a safer and better-organized environment." He said there will be a "police presence" on the campus through the end of the academic year.
The governor also extended thanks to school monitors and administrators who subdued the alleged assailant and the three other youths, seized the sawed-off shotgun believed to be the murder weapon and held them until police arrived. on Tuesday afternoon.
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