BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LED by a black jeep from which emanated solemn songs, last night (Jul. 10) over 150 mourners walked through Upper Monkey Hill then into Parray’s Village before converging on the St. Peter’s Football Field to hold a Candle Light Vigil in memory of Colin Merchant.
The 19-year-old Merchant was stabbed to death sometime after 3:00 a.m. on Sunday (Jul. 7) in the vicinity of Vibes Beach Bar on the Frigate Bay Strip.
Solemn songs played included ‘Hold On (Crossroads) by Wyclef Jean featuring Movado, and ‘21 Gun Salute (We Miss You)’ as well as ‘Feel Like Crying’ by national artiste Infamus.
A special stop was made at the entrance of the Monkey Hill residence where Merchant had spent most of his life with his adopted parents, and a one-minute silence was observed.
The Vigil was coordinated by Dr. Terrence Drew and former Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Eight Cedric Liburd.
At the St. Peter’s Football Field, the Vigil ended with mourners reciting the Lord’s Prayer, prior to which many of them shared words of bittersweet memory dedicated to the deceased.
In his brief statement, Coach of the St. Peter’s Football team, Orville ‘Sailor’ Thompson said that Merchant was a “very talented footballer”.
Choked with emotions, Thompson spoke of that fateful morning when he went to Merchant’s side in an attempt to assist him and had seen a large wound on his body, which made him conclude that the young man “wouldn’t have made it”.
One of the teenager’s former classmates of Washington Archibald High School expressed that Merchant had told that he “wanted to help his family financially”. And although he had not previously known his friend’s family members, he told them that “you had a good youth”.
A close friend, Lovell Charles, stated that he and Merchant had always been together dating back from October last year. He said his friend had “an action plan for his life”.
According to Charles, Merchant “would never hurt a fly”. And speaking about the loss of life, he said, “That’s the biggest piece of me gone there.”
Among the mourners were the teenager’s adopted parents, Lenard ‘Rocky’ Paul and Clamita ‘Baby Girl’ Merchant, as well as his biological mother Valerie Merchant (from Nevis) and his 14-year-old sister Heather Merchant.
Clamita and Valerie are sisters.
Dr. Drew, who also chaired the event, commended the attendees, which comprised mainly of residents of St. Peter’s, for coming together to give their support to family members of the deceased. An act which he described as the best “expression of love” to the family “that they are not alone”.
Paul thanked all those who attended the event, noting that their presence was very much appreciated and that it provided his family with much “strength and courage”.
“It hurts my heart to see how it ended,” he said, whilst highlighting that Merchant had “plenty, plenty good intensions”.
He added, “It hurts very bad, but I feel good to see everybody.”
Speaking with SKNVibes, Merchant’s sister said she used to plait his hair on a regular basis and, as a brother, “he was awesome, fun-loving and the best”.
Colin Merchant was laid to rest this afternoon (Jul. 11) at the St. Peter’s Anglican Churchyard.