A young Guyanese student who used to complain about unsafe conditions in his neighbourhood in New York City has been fatally shot. Kamal Singh, a 15-year-old student at the newly-created University Heights High School in the Bronx, was shot in the chest near his home last week. A loaded .40 calibre handgun was found near the scene.

Police have arrested two youths, Giovanni Perez and Jonathan Fernandez, and charged them for the shooting. The alleged assailants are in custody for their own protection because of an alleged demand for vigilante justice.

A pundit from the Bronx said he understands robbery was the motive.

Principal of the high school, Dr. Bravo, said the two youths are not students there. She said the school community “is grieving and we are at a loss.”

Singh, who is said to have been a bright and popular student, lived on Gates Place near Bronx Community College to which his high school is attached and where a minority of Guyanese are enrolled. The area is settled by mostly Hispanics and African-Americans with a sprinkling of Guyanese.

His body was taken to the nearby Montefiore Medical Center. Hundreds of mostly Hispanics and African-Americans gathered in front of the hospital demanding retribution.

The crowd also demanded a greater police presence in the area to crack down on criminal activities.

Singh was well known in the community for speaking out against the high crime rate in the neighbourhood. He was the leader of the Neighbourhood Youth Group and a member of a journalism club, Community Organized With a Vision of Excellence.

Police are continuing investigations while the family has requested privacy and are not talking about the incident.

(Vishnu Bisram)