KINGSTON, Jamaica — Following Wednesday’s murder of a University of Technology (UTech) student, the Students’ Association of the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) on Thursday called on Jamaicans to take a serious stand against wrongdoing.

UTCWI is a campus near to the University of the West Indies, which trains pastors from traditional denominations.

In a statement, president of the UTCWI Dwane Blackwood said, “As God’s people made in the image of God, we need to understand that respect for the lives of everyone is a critical component of our relationship with God.”

The deceased student, Shanique Walters, was reportedly walking with another female student along Hope Boulevard yesterday when men in a motor car demanded that the two hand over their handbags.

Walters allegedly ran and one of the men exited the motor vehicle and shot her. The other student, who had reportedly complied, was not hurt.

Blackwood urged Jamaicans to “stand against such acts of violence and disregard for life, that undermines the very ethos of our nation”.

“We continue to pray for the family members of the deceased and student body of UTech,” Blackwood continued. “It is hoped that the perpetrators will be brought to justice in a timely manner and that civil, legislative and spiritual entities all play a part in their rehabilitation.”