Teen in custody after deadly school fight at Ocho Rios High

Chaos erupted at Ocho Rios High School on Wednesday when a fight between two students turned deadly, leaving one teen dead and another in police custody.

Police say a 17-year-old male student allegedly struck another boy in the head with a metal chair during an altercation on the school compound.

The injured student, who is identified as 16-year-old Devonie Shearer, was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators say the alleged attacker fled the campus after the incident but was later taken to the police by a parent.

The fatal incident has sent shockwaves through the school community and has drawn a response from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

In a statement, Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a student of Ocho Rios High School in St Ann. This is a devastating loss for the student's family, friends, classmates, teachers and the wider school community and may I also add the entire Jamaica," the minister said.

"Every child who leaves home for school should return safely. We mourn this heartbreaking loss and we extend our deepest condolences to the student's family and the entire Ocho Rios High School community," she added.

The minister noted that the incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen peace-building efforts in educational institutions.

"Today's tragedy reminds us so much that we must strengthen the culture of peace in our schools," Morris Dixon said.

A team from the education ministry is expected to visit the institution today to provide grief and trauma counselling for students, teachers and parents affected by the incident.

According to the ministry, additional psychosocial support will also be provided in the coming days to help members of the school community cope with the loss.

The tragedy comes during a week when several schools across the island observed activities promoting peace.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

- Andre Williams

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