Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3230/-1/140/
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WARNING TO YOUTH: VIOLENCE LEADS TO DEATH Many Mourn Dwayne Connor
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If there is any grim reminder or warning to young people in Anguilla of the consequences of violence, it is the untimely death of 23-old Dwyane Marlon Connor (Nasi), 23, of Rey Hill, who was gunned down at North Valley on January 7.
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Detective Smith, Sergeant Glasford and Supt. Proctor among persons at the funeral service
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His funeral was held on January 21 at the Central Baptist Church which was filled to capacity, with many unable to find seats. The full impact of the grief was felt as a crescendo of voices of crying family and friends echoed through the spacious building. The sad occasion forced others to weep, as well, for the young man who was described as an easy-going and ambitious person whose plan on the fatal day was to help a friend pour some concrete at a construction site.
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Pastor Cecil Richardson
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Pastor Cecil Richardson, who was the main Minister at the funeral service, prefaced his sermon with a statement in which he spoke out against acts of violence involving youngsters on the island. He said he was using the occasion to speak on the matter as many young people were present.
“The occasion for us being here is very, very sad,” he said. “I understand well as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that God is the one who allows things to happen, but I honestly think that all of us as adults and as young people need to do more to prevent these situations from occurring.
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Persons at the funeral service
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“My estimation of what has happened is that it is senseless and I think we are learning a lesson that violence does not pay. You see, friends, today it is this family that is hurting but who says that tomorrow there may not be another family hurting. What we need to do is to be honest with ourselves and to spend some time speaking to and encouraging our young people to take a different road; to deal with the differences that exist in a better manner than using violence.
“It is painful to have to lay a son, a brother, a sister, other family members or a father to rest and I believe we need to do more and I am convinced we can do more. I beg you: this culture of silence that we have adopted is getting us absolutely no where. It is doing no good for our country, our families and any of us. We need to speak out against these evils.”
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Dwayne Connor’s grieving mom, Laurel Arrindell at casket
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The Pastor, who is a member of the Board of Governors at the Comprehensive School, said he had spoken to many students about school violence in order to understand where it is coming from. “I discovered that the problems we encountered in the school came from the community,” he went on. “Some people say the school is this and that but I dare say it is not the school. It [the violence] comes from the community into the school and each of us needs to be involved in giving counsel and advice to our young men and young women about how to conduct themselves and to deal with violence…
“We mourn Dwayne’s passing and I plead with you young men not to let this happen again. There is no need for us to destroy each other when we can sit and talk. I am making myself available if you need someone to talk with and I am sure there are many others who would be happy to do the same.”
In delivering his sermon, Pastor Richardson commented that violence among young people was not the result of a lack of such physical provisions as recreational and playing facilities, but was a spiritual problem. Accordingly he made a strong plea to all in Anguilla to commit themselves to Godly living.
Other Ministers who participated in the funeral service were Pastor Ambrose Gumbs and Pastor Franklyn Connor.
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Dwayne Connor and twin daughters on funeral brochure
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The eulogy was delivered by radio personality Iwandai Gumbs. He described Dwayne as having been “very obedient to his parents, very kind and very industrious; a kind and loving child.” He hoped that his death would be a lesson to other youngsters thus saving them from a similar fate.
A heavy police presence was at the funeral at the church and at the Sandy Ground Cemetery.
Dwayne died from a bullet wound in the chest. He was the son of John Connor and Laurel Arrindell, and father of two three-year-old daughters. He grew up at Rey Hill and Blowing Point. Sheldon Brooks, of North Valley, who was with him on the day of the shooting, was shot in his right foot. The Police are continuing their investigations and are appealing to the public for information.