Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
AN EMOTIONAL farewell was held on the weekend for slain Hydel Prep student Levonna Gordon, who was shot and killed on March 2 this year, along the Hartlands main road in St. Catherine.
The grounds of the Church of the Reconciliation, Bridgeport, Portmore, could not contain the many persons who turned out to pay their last respect to Levonna on Saturday.
A SAD DAY
The mourners were led by Commis-sioner of Police Lucius Thomas, along with Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields, Assistant Commissioner Linval Bailey, Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams and thousands of rank and file members of the force.
In his tribute, the police commissioner told the gathering that it was a sad day and that it needs a concerted effort to deal with the scourge of violence affecting the nation's children. He said that under his watch, the police would do their best to address "the killing of our children".
"I can assure you that the Jamaica Constabulary Force will double their efforts in bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice," he said.
Tributes were paid by members of the anti-crime task force; Hydel Prep School; and Yasmin Johnson, a friend who brought several persons to the edge of their seats with a splendid rendition of a song entitled Dance With My Daughter Again.
BRIGHT AND SMART
In reading the eulogy, Latoya Gordon, Levonna's aunt, said her name came from the fact that she looked very much like her father Levon Gordon. While describing her niece, she said she was very bright and smart and that was why she had such a great impact on all who came around her. She described her as perceptive and one who never had a dull day. Throughout the service, friends and well-wishers and family had to keep comforting Levonna's parents. She was later buried in Gayle, St. Mary.
On March 2 this year, about 9:30 p.m., little Levonna was in her father's car along the Hartland's main road, when the car was ambushed by gunmen who sprayed it with bullets, killing the six-year-old and injuring her father, a corporal of police.
