Rally held to remember teen, ‘stop the violence’

Following the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Keyanna Jones at a bus stop in Jamaica on June 25, a rally was held to help put an end to the violence.
The event, organized by LIFE Camp Inc. (Love Ignites Freedom thru Education), was called “I Love My LIFE Wake Up Walk!” and set out from York College on Friday, June 27.
Teens and parents alike took the streets to encourage members of the community to stop the violence and join their campaign to “Stop the killings and rise of violence in Jamaica.”
Jones was allegedly stabbed on Bedell Street by Winston Alladin, 39, who claimed self-defense. According to reports, a witness said that the group of teens with Jones threatened to shoot Alladin after a verbal altercation escalated.
After Alladin stabbed Jones in the heart, the teens chased him down and pinned him until police arrived. Police are yet to determine what started the fatal conflict.
Alladin has been charged with reckless manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. His bail has been set at $250,000.
The 15-year-old, who friends remember as friendly, had just finished her first year at John Adams High School and was about to start a summer job at Roy Wilkins Park according to her mother, Shaqwana Jackson, 30.
“That was my first born, my daughter, [and] I had her young, so we grew together,” said Jackson, according to published reports.
LIFE Camp Inc. will have a follow-up to the rally on July 20.