KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 28-year-old carpenter has been charged with murder following the death of 13-year-old Kemelia Paul, who passed away in hospital on Tuesday.

Kemar Mitchell of a Kingston 17 address is set to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to answer to murder charges following the May 9 incident where Kemelia was allegedly injured while trying to break up a fight between Mitchell and her mother.

The death of the grade seven student has triggered mourning across the country.

Police say reports are that Mitchell went to the home Kemelia shared with her mother and an argument developed between the two adults.

The argument escalated and became physical. Kemelia intervened, and Mitchell allegedly used a knife to stab her in the stomach before leaving the premises.

Kemelia was taken to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, June 9.

Mitchell was formally charged with murder a day later.

He is scheduled to appear before the court on July 17.