JUSTICE FOR SHANTEL WRIGHT

Shantel Aria Wright, my cousin, whose case I was not aware of until just recently, was kidnapped on June 15 on 12:21 am, in Westmoreland, JA, after attending a party thrown by her mother. At around 11:30 pm, she accepted a drive home from an officer who was part of the force at Savanna-la-Mar police station. After this, she was never seen again. Her close family and friends reported her absence, and it was also shown throughout social media in various Jamaican news outlets and social platforms.
She was found in a canefield in Little London, Westmoreland, on Friday, June 16th, with cuts across her face and body, and her cell phone and keys lying on her body. Also found close to her was the belt of a police officer. She was found just two days before her 21st birthday, which would have been June 19th.
After initial reports of the sighting of my cousin's body, the police force who was 3 minutes away in the Savanna-la-Mar station took 3 HOURS to respond to the crime scene that was 3 MINUTES AWAY.
The police in the Savanna-la-Mar police station, where my cousin worked, have insulted Shanti and her close family, with their lack of proper response time. 3 HOURS TO COME TO A LOCATION THAT WAS 3 MINUTES AWAY! THIS WAS YOUR CO WORKER! AND YOU COULD NOT EVEN RESPOND UNTIL AFTER 3 HOURS. THE PEOPLE AT THE SCENE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO SET UP A BARRICADE ON THE STREET BLOCKING TRAFFIC AT THE SCENE.
The police have FURTHER INSULTED HER FAMILY BY ALLOWING THE OFFICER WHO IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION IN THIS CASE TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY. THE POLICE HAVE BETRAYED THEIR OWN COWORKER AND THEY HAVE INSULTED MY FAMILY THROUGH THESE ACTIONS.
Locals in Jamaica responded furiously to the lack of attention and efficiency in the mishandling of this crime, and we who are making our voices heard want Justice for Shantel Wright. I have seen videos from local Jamaican socialites and artists alike, such as MiddleFingaBoss’ video of the scene, Khago’s musical tribute, and Ninja Man addressing the state of affairs regarding women and children. We will not rest or stop looking, until we find it.
Shantel’s sister, Jonian Wright, released a heartbreaking video calling for justice for her sister. Her mother, Ms. Williams, now has to prepare a funeral, instead of a party, for her daughter. This is unacceptable and Shantel’s family DESERVES JUSTICE!
Too many reports of women and children whose lives have been taken by menaces and criminals who have had the lofty alliances of police officers on their side have been tolerated by Jamaica’s citizens who have read of, witnessed, or personally experienced injustice where the perpetrator has not faced punishment. It has come to the point where the people cannot trust their own police force.
Violence against women and girls in Jamaica has been rampant as of recently. Almost everyday there are new reports of violence against women in Jamaica. What makes it worse is the fact that the police force themselves are sometimes involved.
If the message the police force is trying to send is that they do not respect the law, and/or the women and/or the children of their country, they have done a fine job in convincing their citizens. In Jamaica’s climate of crime and corruption that has sown itself into the very fabric of people’s daily lives, women and children are targeted with impunity by cowardly criminals and policemen alike.
We have seen reports of women and girls being kidnapped, molested, and murdered, so much so, that it has become normalcy. We have seen excessive reports of gunfire and shootouts, from fake rice to FAKE POLICEMEN IN THE FORCE THAT HAVE PROMISED TO SERVE AND PROTECT IT’S CITIZENS.
ALL OF IT HAS TO, CAN, AND MUST STOP.
However, in spite of the corruption Jamaica is known for, that WILL NOT deter us from seeking and finding justice for Shantel Wright. Nor will it exonerate those who think they can run and hide.
WE ARE REACHING OUT TO MR. PRIME MINISTER ANDREW HOLNESS, THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY, INDECOM, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE SAVANNA-LA-MAR POLICE STATION!
WE DEMAND THE CIB IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA BE INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION!
WE DEMAND THE SAVANNA-LA-MAR POLICE FORCE BE INVESTIGATED AND PUNISHED FOR THEIR NEGLECT IN RESPONDING TO THE CRIME SCENE! WE WANT SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE OF WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE RESPONSE CALL WAS PLACED!
WE DEMAND THE OFFICER WHO WAS SINGLED OUT FOR INVESTIGATION BE TAKEN OFF DUTY UNTIL HIS INVESTIGATION IS FULLY CONCLUDED!
WE DEMAND THE ITEMS FOUND AT THE CRIME SCENE BE THOROUGHLY ANALYZED FOR DNA, INCLUDING CELL PHONE, KEYS, BELT ALLEGED TO BELONG TO A COP, AND BROKEN KNIFE HANDLE, BY THE BEST FORENSICS TEAM IN JAMAICA!
WE DEMAND SHANTEL WRIGHT’S CASE BE PUT ON HIGH PRIORITY SO THAT IT IS NOT PUT “UNDER THE RUG” AND IGNORED AS SO MANY OTHER CASES HAVE WENT UNRESOLVED! WE WANT DAILY UPDATES ON THE INVESTIGATION!
All victims of violence deserve justice, but the criminal gets away in so many cases. To this moment, more victims of crime are found and more families are left to grieve and wonder instead of knowing that something will be done. Even Vybz Kartel got more attention from police because of recording music. It is clear that the law’s priorities are nonexistent, especially when more families are reporting deaths and no one is being found, and even moreso when policemen aid, abet, and back known local criminals.
There will be justice for my cousin and her family. The perpetrators will be found. All those whom have conspired or were involved in Shantel’s death and subsequent coverup will be exposed and dealt with. But we cannot make that happen without your voice. Please sign the petition for JUSTICE for Shantel Wright. Please add your voice and let the police and authorities know we will not sit idly by and let it slide. We will not sit, grieve, pray, cry, and wish for retribution. We will act for it.
Our family deserves justice.
- Omar and Tashi
#JusticeForShanti