By Shaliza Hassanali

PAULA ROBERTS’ screams pierced the inside of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port-of- Spain, as she looked at the body of her 17-year-old son Shaquille, lying in his coffin peacefully and at rest.

Shaquille, who was a Form Five student of Success Laventille Composite School, was stabbed once in the chest during an altercation with two other students on February 26 at the school.

Yesterday, friends, family and schoolmates gathered to bid farewell to the teenager, who was affectionately called Shaq and Robbie.

Paying tribute to Shaquille was principal of Success Laventille Composite, Margaret Raddix, who said she did not believe in “an eye for an eye and vigilantism.”

She also appealed to the nation’s children to reject all forms of violence in schools.

“We don’t glorify fighting or any form of violence at our school. I want you to think of the consequences of your actions,” Raddix pleaded.

She also apologised to Shaquille’s parents for not keeping their son safer in school.

“There will be necessary fallouts. And for those who bash us we would remain principled, quiet and strong.”

No matter how we look at it, Raddix said, Shaquille’s death would hurt.

In honouring his life, Raddix said Shaquille was voted in his class for the best handwriting.

“He was obsessed with two things: reading the daily newspapers and football.”

Some months ago, Raddix said Shaquille was involved in a serious incident and she spoke to him about charting a new way forward.

Alicia Abraham, who read the eulogy, also appealed to students to participate in conflict resolution and dialogue, instead of violence, when problems arose.

She felt it was time to make peace with our neighbours.

“Let us not blame one another. Shaquille’s mother has demonstrated this by forgiving her son’s killer.”

Abraham said Shaquille was easy- going and his death had shocked many.

Shaquille’s grandfather, David Morgan, in his brief tribute, asked whether Education Minister Esther Le Gendre was present.

“Tell me why my grandson was killed?” a tearful Morgan asked.

Morgan said it was only after Shaquille’s death the ministry installed cameras (CCTV) at 35 schools.

He also felt that a programme should be established in honour of his grandson.

Last month, Morgan said his daughter wanted to transfer her son (Shaquille) and he objected.

Morgan also accused the media of painting a bad picture of his grandson.

“He was a gentle boy....He never used to talk much.”

Several times during the service the media were told not to film or take photographs of the Roberts family.

“All you have enough of Shaquille. Go before we embarrass you. Get out of here,” one female mourner demanded.

Parish priest Kenneth Assing, administrator of the Cathedral, said T&T had become victims of the culture of death and young people were caught up in a frenzy.

“It’s amongst us and we are experiencing it in our schools .”

After placing ashes on her son’s forehead, Roberts could not contain her emotions and began screaming for her son.

“Shaquille...why? Oh God! Robbie,” Roberts cried as Shaquille’s father Cory Jack tried to comfort her.

Shaquille was buried at Western Cemetery.