Cricket bat assault: Student, 16, suffers severe brain damage, loses movement to left side body

A 16-year-old school boy has suffered severe brain damage after he was struck to the head with a cricket bat by another student. The incident occurred at the Golden Grove Secondary School, East Coast Demerara on Thursday afternoon.

The injured boy, Jomal Reid, a fifth form student at the school is now hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

His aunt, Pheona Carroll, told the News Room that the boy has experienced loss of movement to the left side of his body.

“His entire left side body, the left eye closed down, he could only smile half way to the right alone, he cannot feel, he cannot touch on the left side,” Carroll said.

Jomal was injured during a confrontation at the school after squibs (firecrackers) were thrown outside the compound.

According to Carrol, the perpetrator allegedly made threats the day before the incident and posted on his WhatsApp status that someone will die the next day [Thursday]. The reason for the attack is unclear.

“My nephew was standing with some other friends and this boy came from behind him and lash him to he head with the bat and my nephew fall to the floor and get blackout,” Carroll explained.

He regained consciousness at Nabaclis Health Centre and according to Carroll, the doctor there said it was evident he had suffered serious brain injuries.

He was then transferred to GPHC and underwent emergency surgery.

“Jomal is not a trouble-making child; he don’t like to miss school, he always neat and tidy,” the aunt said.

He is now in a stable but critical condition.

The News Room understands that the Ministry of Education and the Police Force are investigating the incident.

“We need justice,” the aunt stated.