‘He said if he can’t have her, he will kill her’

The family of the slain 14-year-old Naeema Marshall says she was killed, because she rejected the advances of her killer. The young girl was gunned down in New Forest Village on Monday, in what’s believed to have followed a fit of rage by her obsessive attacker. A 14-year-old boy has since been arrested by the police’s Anti-Gang Unit. He’s scheduled to appear in court once charged. Family spokesperson Veranique “Benji” Williams says the family is shattered and details what led to the murder…

THE HARROWING DETAILS

“This boy approached her earlier that day, telling her that he wants her and that he wants a relationship with her. She said no, and that she’s not interested, then he said to her that if he can’t have her, he will kill her. That is what he said, but she thought it was a joke because she still went to the neighbour and told the story. She then went into the house. After a while, he came running into the house and shot her in the head,” says a grieving Williams. Williams who works as a community activist says she and the rest of the family are heartbroken, as she had watched the Naeema grow into a teen.

naeema mashall — The teen’s janazah was held in Beacon Valley yesterday afternoon. Image: supplied

“SHE WAS THE BABY IN THE HOUSE, WE ARE BROKEN”

Naeema was a grade 9 learner at Beacon Hill High School, in Beacon Valley where she resided. The area is a suburb of Mitchell’s Plain. This is also where her janazah was held yesterday afternoon.

#NaeemaMarshall Scores of mourners flocked to her home yesterday afternoon, to pay their respects. #smile904fmnews pic.twitter.com/GJ3wowtZXz
— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) July 19, 2023

“OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILS US”

Williams says that while the family is pleased by the swift arrest of Naeema’s alleged killer, he is a minor and they feel that he will get off scot-free.

“Our justice system fails us. This is a child and when you as a 15-year-old or even 11-year-old, and they run around with firearms, they know what they are doing. We can’t let them out (into society) again. From my side he (the accused) meant this because he threatened her. It was a threat and he went and he did it. He had the intention to do it,” adds an emotional Williams.