KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it is probing the circumstances that led to the killing of a nine-year-old student of the New Works Infant and Primary School in Westmoreland yesterday.

In a release today, the agency said it has since dispatched a team of first responders who visited the home of the deceased, where mother and siblings were seen and initiated grief counselling.

The team is currently visiting the school, where group therapy sessions will be conducted in partnership with other key stakeholders.

Commenting on the tragedy, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green expressed shock and sadness.

“This is not the kind of news we want to hear, it shows clearly that as a country we must go back to the days of the village raising the child. No child should ever feel unsafe; the killing of any child must be condemned in the strongest possible term,” Green said.

He added that Jamaica has lost another future leader and the incident will be an example of how government entities work together to expeditiously bring perpetrators to justice.

 “I await a full report from the CPFSA and other State agencies about this incident. The team from the CPFSA will be visiting the police later today in its efforts to gather additional information and will work closely with the police.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, we will 2 continue to provide the necessary support and we assure the family and community members that our thoughts are with you,” Green added.

Meanwhile, CEO of the CPFSA Rosalee Gage-Grey extended condolences to the family and community members following the gruesome killing.

“The CPFSA mourns with the families and community members at this difficult time. Our deepest sympathies are with mother, siblings, school populous and the wider community. We condemn any killing of our children,” Gage-Grey said.