Barrouallie family believes that they are being targeted

A Pierre Hughes, Barrouallie, family of three believes that they are being targeted by persons who are determined to hurt them.{{more}}

More than two weeks after their two bedroom home was torched by unknown assailants, siblings Othneil, Shelly-Ann and Ranny Kirby are still at a loss as to who or why they are being attacked.

When the three visited Searchlight’s office, spokesperson of the group Shelly-Ann indicated that they suspect the attacks maybe because of a family member’s gang affiliation or maybe just plain jealousy.

Shelly-Ann, a teacher at the Buccament Government School, recounted that since last year, there have been multiple attacks on the family, especially the younger brother Ranny, who is employed as a labourer.

“The first occasion I know of was in September last year. They knock him down in the house…. In March (2010) when he was coming home in the night, I realize that somebody knocked him out with some bottles, we rushed him to the hospital.”

Kirby said that less than a week later, someone broke into the house and vandalized the home; cutting furniture and clothing in the process.

Then on the night of April 19, while Ranny was lying in bed, someone threw a bottle through the bedroom window and set the outside toilet on fire.

Then on April 22, when no one was at home, the house was torched by an unknown arsonist.

“Where I was staying, somebody called me and told me my house was on fire,” Shelly-Ann related.

“I didn’t go to the scene right away, I just cried and cried and cried.”

“Everything burn up inside the house: the television, the fridge, my computer, microwave, blender, the cushions on the chairs – everything.”

The Kirbys told Searchlight that each matter was reported to the police, including the names of suspects and the reasons that they suspect may be the cause for the attacks, but to date no arrest has been made.

Police in Barrouallie confirmed that these incidents were reported to them and informed SEARCHLIGHT that they are being investigated.

The siblings insist that they have not been involved in any activity that would provoke persons to terrorize them. They, however, feel the attacks may be related to one of their relatives’ ties to a gang from outside of their village.

“They have about four gangs in Barrouallie: you have Three Acres, Pierre Hughes, Bottle and Glass and Keartons, farmer Othneil related. “We believe that one of the gangs might be against a family of ours and is taking it out on us.”

“It’s either that or people are just jealous of us.”

Whichever is the case, the family is now without a home of their own and is asking for assistance so that they can get their lives together.

They are also requesting that persons in the area who may know something to report what they know to the police so that they can receive justice and gain some peace of mind. (JJ)