A sombre mood permeated the air at the St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) on Monday as classmates and friends of Omar Laing mourned the shooting death of the promising footballer.

Laing was fatally shot in a drive-by on Charles Street in West Kingston on Friday, April 22. He was celebrating his 18th birthday when he was shot.

Laing’s grief-stricken colleagues and football teammates openly wept on the school compound Monday morning while being consoled by visiting members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

READ: WATCH: National U-19 footballer, Omar Laing, fatally shot in drive-by

Inspector Tanecia Johnson, National Safe Schools Unit Coordinator, promised to find those responsible for his killing.

“Footballers, as I said, there is not any amount of words to console you, but from the Jamaica Constabulary Force – we pledge that we will put out all stops; we will stop at nothing at all— and this is not just talking— to ensure that those who are involved in the killing of young Omar will be brought to justice,” Johnson said.

“That’s a promise, and we will be delivering on that promise. And just as how we come now to try and console you— because we have to, you are hurting— we will be back here in short order to deliver the message that we have them. You can depend on us,” she added.

Mr Williams, a teacher at the school also remembered the promising football star as a leader and trendsetter who was interested in learning.

“When I observed him sitting with the footballers, even when they were discussing some things that weren’t so right or saying some words, I could never see Laing taking part. He was just sitting there calmly on his phone or just observing, that’s Laing; someone of peace. Yes, we are gonna miss him but we will have to be strong for each other,” Mr Williams said.

Laing was also the leading goal scorer for STATHS last year during the ISA/Digicel Manning Cup competition.

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