Classes at the Grange Hill High School in Westmoreland have shifted to online modality today, April 26, following Thursday’s killing of 16-year-old Carson Bennett, a grade-10 student of the institution.

Reports are that Bennett and a female student were leaving an event at the school when they were attacked by gunmen travelling on a motorcycle. Bennett died while the female has been hospitalised.

The shooting incident is reportedly linked to ongoing gang violence in the Grange Hill community, with Bennett being the target.

Education Minister Fayval Williams is calling for calm in the Grange Hill community in the aftermath of the attack against the students.

“I want to appeal for calm in Grange Hill, Westmoreland. I know that, I have gotten reports that the school is closed this morning, and classes are online. What has come to me is that it is an alleged connection to a gang and so we have to respond to ensure that the safety and security of our students is in tact today so we have asked parents to ensure that their students are home and online for classes that will happen today,” Williams said.

She was speaking this morning, April 26, during an interview on local radio.