GREEN BAY, St Mary — Three-year-old Asher Campbell’s tiny frame lay in a white casket inside a Port Maria church, Sunday, draped with a sheet bearing the image of his favourite action hero, Spiderman. Seated in the pews his classmates, teachers and relatives mourned for a life that had ended too early and far too violently.

Tributes flowed as those sombrely gathered recalled how Asher was always smiling and his infectious zest for life.

Fifteen-year-old Amoya Duckie fought back tears as she eulogised her brother.

“Once you crossed his path you became hooked,” said Duckie.

She also spoke of the other superhero in Asher’s life: his father. In the lad’s eyes, his dad could fix anything and would buy him anything he wanted. She said Asher would sing his father’s praises to anyone who would listen. He was proud that his father was fisherman.

“Many times he would seek a way to go to sea with his father. He would often tell his classmates that they would get plenty of fish. Asher looked forward to Mondays as that was school day. He loved school,” Duckie added.

Asher was killed in a May 29 attack that also left his nine-year-old sister Chelsea Buchanan and his mother Philipa Brown wounded.

Reports from the Port Maria police are that between 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm on May 29, 33-year-old labourer Devon Williams, armed with a knife and an iron pipe, inflicted several wounds to little Asher and five other individuals.

They were taken to the hospital where Asher was pronounced dead while the others were treated and released. Residents detained Williams, who is believed to be mentally ill, and took him to the hospital. He was later handed over to the police.

Williams was charged the same day after being pointed out in an identification parade. He is to return to court this Thursday to answer to one count of murder, three counts of wounding with intent, and two counts of unlawful wounding.

The attack, which sent shock waves through the Pagee community, has put a strain on relationships. Speaking during the funeral held at Grace Christian Ministries Church in Green Bay, Port Maria, on Sunday, Member of Parliament for Central St Mary Dr Morais Guy urged residents to put aside their differences and seek comfort in Asher’s memory.

“This occasion has caused many things to happen. Friendship has been torn apart, communities have been divided, comradeship has been shattered and the peace and quiet of the community is strained because of what has happened. Asher’s death should not cause us to be divided,” he appealed.

The parliamentarian encouraged community members to mend broken fences, look out for each other and continue to give support to the bereaved family and the community at large.

“Let us, as a community, continue to support and give comfort but let the memory of little Asher live on in our lives,” Dr Guy urged.

Asher Quinn Campbell was laid to rest in the Port Maria cemetery.