IN JAMAICA: 11-year-old Outspoken Tashanique James, shot and killed by gunmen in Denham Town on Emancipation Day

THE TEARS meandered slowly down her face as Yahola 'Teesha' Anderson asked the question that so many Jamaican mothers have asked in recent times when their child has been killed: "Why?"

Yahola Anderson hugs a photo of
 her 11-year-old daughter, Tashanique James,
who was shot and killed by
gunmen in Denham Town
 on Emancipation Day.

"How dem could just fire shot so and tek mi baby life? She don't even live no life," Anderson lamented to The Gleaner yesterday as she reacted to the fatal shooting of her 11-year-old daughter, Tashanique James, in the west Kingston community of Denham Town on Thursday.

The youngster, who everyone knew as 'Dana', was one of five persons shot in two gang-related incidents in the community while Jamaicans marked Emancipation Day.

Another victim, a 12-year-old girl, was treated at hospital and released.

Less than 24 hours after that shooting, Anderson was headed to the morgue for another look at the lifeless body of her daughter, the Clan Carthy Primary student who was headed to grade six with big plans for her future.

"No care how you are sad, Dana always made you laugh," said Anderson, with the only hint of a smile for the entire time she spoke with our news team.

"She try her best because she always wanted to be on top. She was a shining star in everybody's life, no matter who you be. Everybody loved her, even the police dem who come in the area. Read More...