KINGSTON, Jamaica – There was a significantly low turnout at the Meadowbrook Preparatory School in St Andrew on Wednesday morning following yesterday’s shooting of a parent outside the school’s gate.

According to the institution’s principal, Gloria Francis, although the shooting did not happen in full view of the students, fear may have played a part in the poor attendance. She highlighted that under normal circumstances, the student population would be close to 300, but on Wednesday the attendance was between 50-70 students.

“As kids, they would have heard the explosions and they would have been frightened at that so I would imagine there would be some form of fear in them, but I think with the support of our teachers yesterday and our devotions this morning, I feel we’re at a better place,” she said.

Reports are that about 3 pm, the man arrived at the entrance of the school on a motorcycle to pick up a student when he was attacked by gunmen travelling in a motor vehicle.

READ: WATCH: Man shot while picking up child from Meadowbrook Prep

Francis, while admitting that the mood was sombre, said parents and teachers were on site to help students manage any fear they may still be experiencing.

“The mood was sombre this morning. The parents were all at the devotion taking part. The students were pretty much more relaxed than they were yesterday so with the message from the Chaplain of our school and the United Church in general, we were able to assure that they were feeling much better than they were yesterday,” she said.

Several counsellors from different schools came to give support to students and teachers.