SEVENTEEN-year-old Kingston College (KC) student Khajeel Mais was yesterday eulogised as a “community child” who became a victim of adult brutality. In an emotional thanksgiving service for the life of the youngster who was shot dead by the driver of a BMW X6 in an apparent episode of road rage, attorney Bert Samuels said that as a mentor to Mais he erred by omitting to warn him that adults in their selfish ways could be his destruction.

“The problem did not lie with his generation, but my generation,” Samuels said in his tribute. “Khajeel has become the victim of adult brutality.”

He said it was a preoccupation with material things that resulted in the death of the youngster on July 1 at about 7:00 pm in Havendale while on his way to a fete at Meadowbrook High School.

Mais’s murder triggered national outrage after it was reported that the driver of the X6, apparently angered that his vehicle was hit by a taxi in which Mais was a passenger, alighted from the luxury SUV and fired shots into the taxi.

Public outrage intensified after the police reported that the murder suspect fled the island shortly after the incident. However, the suspect is now in police custody, having returned to the country last Monday on his own volition, according to his attorney Patrick Atkinson.

Police say he is scheduled to face an identification parade this week.

Police sources also told the Sunday Observer yesterday that Mais received two gunshots — one to the head and the other in the chest.

Yesterday, the more than two-hour-long service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street, across the road from KC, was attended by a large number of mostly young people.

Many viewed Mais’s body, dressed in a white suit complete with purple and white tie, resting in a white casket decorated with the KC crest and the words ‘Fortis Forever’, a salute used by students and past students of the high school.

The wound to his head was barely visible, unless carefully scrutinised.

Inside the church, entertainer Jahvince paid a musical tribute while people viewing the body at the entrance to the church cried aloud.

Outside, people gathered in small groups, comforting each other, while others whispered about the way in which Mais died.

In the tributes which preceded the service, Verona Smith, a teacher at KC, reminded the congregants that we live in a world where seeing is believing but that what we see is not always the whole truth.

She was alluding to street gossip of Mais’s behaviour by people who did not know who he really was.

A short eulogy was read by his sister, Kimberly. She described her brother as a ‘Jack of all trades’ who, since he was very young, would pull apart everything he could find, only to put them back together.

Khajeel, known to his family as ‘Tractor’ and ‘Kash’, attended Vaz pre-school and Vaz Prep before earning a place at KC.

While not much was said of his years at KC, Kimberly said while there, he lived the life he loved and loved the life he lived.

This was followed by a remembrance by his aunt, Gaudia Chevannes-Aquart, who reminded parents that children were persons we could give our love but not our thoughts.

Brenda Stamp, a family friend and neighbour, described ‘Kash’ as always bubbly and willing to help.

“He was a community child,” Stamp said. “He was everybody’s friend. From the oldest to the youngest.”

Mais was said to be a good athlete and a footballer, and was always willing to go to church when invited.

At the end of the tributes, the casket was wheeled into the church by Mais’s father Noel, brothers Noel Jr and David, uncles Davi and Desmond, and cousin Oneil Flinch.

The programme went smoothly, with mourners trying desperately to hold back tears. But many lost the battle and had to be consoled.

Rev Robert Thompson, Bishop of Kingston, in his message, used the scripture St Matthew 10: 28 to remind the congregation that despite the violence and crime taking place in Jamaica today, persons should not “fear those who can only kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather to fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”.

“It is a lack of value when human life is so easily disposed of for human wealth,” Rev Thompson said.

He told the congregation that though we may ask when will the violence end, it is up to all Jamaicans to play a part.

“Even though violence is all around and some families escape the heartache of losing a loved one, it is up to all of us to play our part, to speak out. Don’t allow fear to lead you to be quiet. Don’t let fear lead you into silencing your voice when you see evil,” he said.

The Bishop added that while Mais’s death brought pain to his family and friends, it has created a bigger picture as persons have united through the media and public outcry in their outrage at such a criminal act.

Rev Monsignor Kenneth Richards, who officiated, also implored the congregation to take what happened to Mais personally.

“Let us take it personally,” he said. “Just as we are demanding that the security forces carry out justice, let us recognise we are depending on each of us to assist them. Let this bring about a transformation in Jamaica. Let us say I have a duty to safeguard each other.”

His words, however, did not find favour with one elderly woman in the congregation who mumbled, “Is not that we wouldn’t want to help the police. But for the love of money them same one sell you out. If you tell them anything them same one go down the road go call you name to the person and collect big money from them and the next thing you know a gunshot to you head — just like what happen to Khajeel. Dem will sell out them own family for money.”

After the service, while the casket was being placed in the hearse, persons were overheard murmuring and were seen looking discreetly at a dreadlocked youth they claimed was one of the sons of the shooter.