By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company yesterday donated $8,000 to the families of the four people killed in Fox Hill on December 27.

Shiqulle Demeritte, 19,  Eric Morrison, 49,  Claudzino Davis, 37 and Shenique Sands, 30,  were in the area just behind the basketball court in Fox Hill, with several other persons, awaiting Junkanoo results when they were shot and killed in a drive by shooting. Seven other persons were taken to hospital.

Jerome Sawyer, BTC Senior Manager of Public Relations, said the donation is intended to bring comfort to the families by helping to defray funeral costs.

He said the decision to donate came after he realized he had visited Freedom Park to spend time with the Fox Hill Congo’s Junkanoo Group, a few days before the shooting.

“On this particular night we spent time with the group, including three of the people who lost their lives in the shootings. This has touched us deeply. I interviewed lead choreographer Shanique Sands who was one of the victims,” he said.

“When we learned of the tragedy we wanted the families to know we felt their pain. We decided to offer financial help to defray the cost of funeral expenses – each family will receive $2,000 and the gift symbolizes our support as we stand with the grieving families and the community as a whole. This whole thing is incredibly sad.”

Mr Sawyer also announced that BTC will be back to furnish and refurbish Freedom Park as well as erect a memorial with the names of the victims who died that tragic night.

 Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell said the donation is a “splendid gesture” that will go a long way in assisting these families.

“I hope it brings some relief and some further healing to what was a tragic event in Fox Hill. This afternoon we remember again the tragic loss of four young lives cut down out of their prime for foolishness and stupidity by people who have no respect for man or beast. I am certain that these families appreciate this kind of corporate gesture and I know that the Congos Junkanoo group appreciates it and the community at large,” he said.

“The Fox hill community is grateful to the Bahamian community as a whole for their spontaneous outpouring of love and support that has come from across the Bahamas. It is really touching to see how so many people have come forward to help. I hope that this attention to Fox Hill  continues. It has come with love and it has come with money, together these two things will go a long way to try and resolve some issues.”

Carl Kemp thanked BTC on behalf of all four families.