“A dark tragedy.”

This was how Pastor Marlon Alvarez described the murders of siblings Faith, ten, Arianna, 14, Shain, 17 and Tiffany Peterkin, 19.

He made the comment as their friends and relatives gathered at Allen’s Funeral Home in Arima to pay their last respects to the slain siblings, who were among nine people shot as they slept in their home in Heights of Guanapo last Thursday.

People wept as they walked past the four painted caskets which stood side by side at the front of the chapel. Shain’s coffin was in blue and the girls’ coffins in pink.

Attendees attempted to console their parents, Sean Peterkin and Anesa Mohamed, who sat in the front row hugging the younger of their two surviving children tightly.

Pastor Alvarez lamented the “numbness” in the nation, adding that murders have now become an everyday occurrence that people have “become desensitised to.”

He encouraged people paying tributes at the funeral service to talk about the strengths, hopes, dreams, character, talents and gifts of each victim and what made them special.

His challenge was accepted as a neighbour recalled how eager the children were to lend a helping hand.

“Every one of them always helpful. It real hard to know we lose four of them at the same time.”

A tribute by Faith’s classmates at Santa Rosa Government Primary School brought tears to everyone’s eyes as suggested that she will always be with them in spirit.

“I am so sorry to hear that Faith Peterkin has died. You’ll always (be) there in your seat. Rest in Peace. Love you.”

Another neighbour described them as the most amazing children and praised their respectful and humble demeanour.

“Everybody in the community is ‘aunty’ and ‘uncle’ to them. You hardly get children in the community to do that right now.” She recalled them taking their animals to graze every morning and bringing them back home in the evenings.

“Their dad spent the majority of his time and effort and money to purchase animals for his children and…if it have no grass, yuh seeing all ah dem with a little cutlass, cutting bush and bringing it in. They valued what they parents had. They know what it was like to be hungry. They never make a fuss for nothing. Hard-working, loving, honest children.”

She dispelled rumours surrounding the cause of the murders saying, “Whatever rumours yuh hear it wasn’t true, these were the most loving children ever.”

Member of Parliament for Arima Pennelope Beckles-Robinson shared similar sentiments as she urged people not to jump to conclusions.

“I just want to urge all of those present not to judge. It’s too easy for us to make comments when we don’t have the facts, and we don’t know exactly what happened.” She added, “This is not the time for us to come to all kinds of conclusions other than to pray for ourselves, Arima and our country and because this is really a terrible time and it is difficult to comfort people on a day like today.”

[caption id="attachment_1037767" align="alignnone" width="965"] JUSTICE FROM GOD: Pastor Marlon Alvarez says the mu