Suspect held in Queen’s student’s murder

A suspect is now in police custody following the tragic shooting death of 18-year-old Jada Pollard, a sixth-form student at The Queen’s School.

The student was shot and killed at her home in Smokey Vale, St Andrew, during a pre-dawn home invasion.

Reports from the St Andrew North police are that around 1:40 a.m., the suspect allegedly broke into the residence where Pollard lived with her family. The gunman reportedly gained entry through the front door, which was closed.

The intruder reportedly confronted Pollard’s mother in her bedroom and robbed her of her handbag. Her cries for help alerted her daughter, who exited her room to investigate. Upon encountering the gunman, Pollard was shot in the head.

The sixth-form student collapsed immediately. She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, while the gunman fled.

Head of the St Andrew North Police Division, Superintendent Randy Sweeney, yesterday confirmed the arrest, while indicating that investigators at the Constant Spring CIB are still probing the incident.

The brazen killing has sparked widespread grief.

Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon expressed profound shock and sadness.

She described the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy”, noting that a bright and promising young life had been lost in the most senseless way.

“My heart goes out to her family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the wider school community as they grapple with this devastating loss,” said Morris Dixon.

The minister also confirmed that a trauma support team was dispatched to The Queen’s School to provide counselling and psychosocial support to students and staff and promised to continue its support.

Pollard’s shocking murder has cast a pall of sorrow over the school and the wider Smokey Vale community.

One of her friends said, “Our classmates loved her, she was so sweet and the most humble person ever. I have not one negative thing to say about that sweet girl.”

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com