Media barred from funeral 

Anglican priest John Rogers is worried about the high number of guns invading Barbados, much to the detriment of the island’s youth.

“How are the guns getting into Barbados? How are they getting to the young people? Why are the authorities not doing something about it? It is not enough to say that this young generation is bad, and there is so much violence . . . .

“It seems to be human nature to lash out whenever we believe that we’ve been wronged,” he said yesterday during the funeral service for Tavon Alleyne at St George Parish Church.

Alleyne, 21, of Lakes Close, Eden Lodge, St Michael, was gunned down on Boxing Day as he walked through a track near his home. He was the cousin of Barbadian superstar Rihanna, who attended yesterday’s service, and son of Rihanna’s uncle Leroy Daddy I-Roy/De Warrior Brathwaite.

Police have since arrested and charged 23-year-old Shawayne Dashawn Williams, of Whitehall No. 1, St Michael, in connection with the incident.

Before the service began, the media were ordered to leave the church by Rihanna’s bodyguards, stating the family did not wish videography, photography or media coverage of the event, which attracted hundreds of mourners, who lined the streets and courtyard of the church.

When Rogers was asked after the service why the media were locked out, he said he would address the matter at a later date. (RA)

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