Vincentian student killed in Virginia

This country’s two top pharmacists received a severe and painful blow on Tuesday afternoon when they learnt of the horrific murder of their only child – a former national junior tennis player and student of Virginia State University.{{more}}

On Wednesday afternoon, when SEARCHLIGHT visited the Level Garden home of Chief Pharmacist Joann Jack and Drug Inspector Tyrone Jack, they were being supported by fellow pharmacists, in their attempt to come to grips with the tragic death of their 23-year-old son, Daron Jack.

CBS6 news agency said the Chesterfield Police Department informed them that Daron was assaulted late on Monday, October 4, in the Ettrick section of Chesterfield County – at his apartment in the 3400 block of Watson Street, close to the campus of Virginia State University. The apartment is said to be one of several units in two adjacent single-story buildings between Third and Fourth avenues in Ettrick.

It is said that the police received a 911 from Daron’s neighbours to come to his apartment located less than a block away from the university.

When the police arrived shortly after 11p.m., Daron was found inside his apartment injured and bleeding. He was then transferred to the Virginia Medical Centre, where he later died of his injuries.

According to CBS6, the police said that they did not have a murder weapon or motive for the killing, but have classified the case as a homicide.

Chesterfield police Capt. Terry Patterson said Daron suffered wounds consistent with a beating.

The Virginia State medical examiner, giving specific details on Wednesday, said that the young man died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Relatives in New York contacted Tyrone early Tuesday afternoon to break the news to him.

“It’s a numbing experience because it’s our only child,” said Tyrone to SEARCHLIGHT during the interview at his home.

He described his son, who was pursuing studies in Industrial Engineering and was due to complete his programme in December, as a “Happy go lucky young fella, with a caring and loving heart. He loved sharing and he will give his soul out.”

The grieving father said his son last visited St.Vincent and the Grenadines in December of last year, and he last saw him when he visited Virginia in May.

Tyrone, who had been following the news updates on the Internet, told his colleagues at his home that someone was in custody in relation to the murder.

Joann went across to the computer to have a look, but became overwhelmed and broke down in tears as she saw a photograph of son’s alleged killer.

In that news update, the Chesterfield Police Department disclosed that they had arrested Deondray Maddox, 26, of the 300 block of Fillmore Street in Petersburg.

He is charged with first-degree murder. Maddox is being held at the Petersburg City Jail pending a November court date.

Daron’s killing is Chesterfield’s ninth homicide for the year.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health and the Environment Dr.Douglas Slater, speaking at a ULP meeting at Paul’s Avenue on Tuesday, October 5, said: “It is with sadness that we recently learned of the heinous crime that caused the death of a resident of this community. The son of Mr and Mrs Jack, just up there. He was studying in the United States, and his body was found last night, brutally murdered. The police are investigating.”

Slater urged the Central Kingstown constituents to keep the Jacks in their prayers.

“They are pharmacists; they are staff members of mine. I know Daron Jack, he was a contemporary of my son. They went to primary school and secondary school together.

“It is really sad because that’s a product of our education revolution; a brilliant guy; he was a national athlete – a tennis player; he was there on a tennis scholarship,” said Slater.

Slater noted: “Mr and Mrs. Jack… I am certain that the whole community; the ULP family here; the community of Paul’s Lot and St. Vincent share your loss. Let us have them in our prayers.”