TRELAWNY, Jamaica – The tragic death of 16-year-old Jahmarie Reid in what is suspected to be a shark attack has sparked intense debate about the safety of beaches in Falmouth, Trelawny. The incident has cast doubt on assurances from local authorities that the waters are safe for swimming.
In the wake of the incident, Superintendent Winston Milton, Commander of the Trelawny Police Division, sought to reassure the public. “The beaches in the parish are safe for swimming and not overrun with sharks,” he stated, citing consultations with marine experts and local fisherfolk that revealed no evidence of a shark infestation.
However, Reid’s uncle, a seasoned fisherman with 28 years of experience, has fiercely challenged these claims. Posting a video on TikTok on Wednesday, he recounted the events leading up to and following his nephew’s death. According to him, Jahmarie went missing on Monday after setting out to sea at 6:00 AM. By 6:00 PM, when Jahmarie had not returned, his family made a report to the police, who allegedly failed to call the coast guard to initiate an immediate search.
The family decided to take matters into their own hands and began their search on Tuesday. What they encountered was a gruesome scene: Jahmarie’s dismembered body, missing its head, was found in the water. During the recovery effort, a shark reappeared, only driven away after being shot at twice.
“He went missing on Monday… When we go we find him hand one side and we find him body one side without head,” the uncle detailed in the video. He suspects that Jahmarie’s inexperience and a possible injury led to his tragic end. “Nutten more than the youth shoot a big fish. When him shoot the big fish the shark attack him and when the shark attack him and eat the fish, worse if the youth get a cut… from the youth get a cut the shark ago come back and eat him.”
The uncle also disputed Superintendent Milton’s claim that the body was found two miles from shore. “The yute barely dead a mile away from the land. It’s so close, next to the ship pier,” he argued, urging the public not to heed the words of those unfamiliar with the sea.
The uncle’s statement has put the authorities on the defensive, highlighting a potential gap in marine safety protocols and knowledge. His testimony brings into sharp focus the real dangers lurking just off the coast, contradicting official statements intended to calm the community.
Speaking from his extensive experience, the uncle also shared past encounters with sharks, illustrating how dangerous the waters can be even for seasoned professionals. “A several of time the shark rush me but [because of] my experience me know how fi overcome that. The youth nuh have no experience of going through a shark attack when him out at sea. Him young,” he lamented.
The tragic event serves as a solemn reminder of the perils that can accompany the beauty of the sea. It calls into question the efficacy of current safety measures, demanding a re-evaluation to prevent further loss of life. While the debate continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life full of potential, cut tragically short.
