BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NO longer will Bertie Dore end a hard day’s work by travelling to his home to the jovial greeting of his 14-year-old son Bejay Dore. Rather, he has begun the process of dealing with the void that his son’s unfortunate and untimely demise has created within the family.
The teenager was stabbed in the right side of his neck at about 4:45 p.m. yesterday (Apr. 3) following an “altercation” between himself and a 10-year-old boy.
Information reaching SKNVibes indicates that the boys were at Maynard’s Park, Cayon, when the fateful incident occurred. Bejay reportedly ran from the facility onto Warner Street and into his yard which is located on that street. Further information states that he succumbed to his injuries in the yard.
According to Bejay’s father’s understanding of the specifics of the incident, “the altercation was over a ball. People say he was playing with a ball and maybe the kid couldn’t get the ball. Someone said he went for a knife and came back with it.”
The father, a fireman by profession, explained in an exclusive interview with SKNVibes that he – along with members of his family - is still trying to come to grips with the situation. He describes Bejay, the younger of his sons, as an unassuming lad who had always brought smiles to the faces of his friends and loved ones.
“He was very cool; never use to get into any problems. He never used to go anywhere and he doesn’t interfere with anyone. He was always joyful, happy and always smiling.”
The obviously distraught father explained that much of his effort is channelled towards aiding the healing process for himself, Bejay’s mother Jennifer Julius (Dore’s girlfriend) and his brother, Tijay Dore. He said the incident and its results are especially frustrating to Tijay as the bond he shared with his younger brother was unbreakable.
“The mother is really down and out. She can’t really take it. Both the brother and the mother went to the hospital last night. They are in pain. They are by her (Jennifer’s) mother seeking comfort. I am trying my best to do everything in my power to keep them together.
“I need to get counselling for my son (Tijay) because they were very close and it’s a difficult time for him. They were always very close and they were always together. They slept in the same bed, they never went anywhere without each other...they were very, very close. I need to get some sort of counselling for my older son so that he can pick up the pieces of his life and move on.”
Plans were on the front burner for Bejay and other family members to migrate to the USA where he would have continued his education process.
“They have US citizenship, so they were about to leave in summer to go to the States to live. I have other children but they are all in the States.”
Dore seemed at a loss for words when asked about the child accused of taking his son's life. He however indicated that he too may need to be counselled as this must be a traumatic situation for him to be involved in.
“He is 10-years-old. What can I stay about that? He is still a child. He himself is going to need counselling. I haven’t spoken to his parents as yet. They too must be under some pressure. I wish this thing could just disappear.”
Dore’s interview with SKNVibes ended prematurely as he became overwhelmed with emotion and opted to continue at a later and more-convenient time.
A press release issued by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force informed that the police are making investigations into the incident and “a 10-year-old is in custody assisting in the investigation”.
Bejay, a second form student at the Cayon High School, is the Federation’s ninth homicide victim for the year. Last year, the nation recorded 23 homicides.
Bejay would have celebrated his 15th birthday in December.
