THE recent spate of attacks on school children was a concern which often saddened Pia Phillips, and drew her condemnation.

Grieving students comfort each other during a special gathering at Immaculate Conception High, St Andrew, yesterday where teen Pia Phillips was remembered. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

According to a close friend of the family, the outspoken Pia would often express her sorrow over instances of violence against, and the killing of young people.

"She would often say, 'Dem man yah crazy, man. You mean say young people can't enjoy themselves? When is it all going to end'," recalled the friend, who was in grief yesterday over the death of the Immaculate Conception High School head girl.

Little did Pia know that her death would be set in train by one of these "crazy" men she so often condemned.

Pia, the only girl and eldest of three children for her parents, was accidentally shot by her father on Saturday - the day she turned 18 - as he rushed to the aid of his family who were being held up by two hoodlums as they returned home from choir practice at the St John the Baptist Catholic Church.

According to the police, Pia was shot when her father, Paul Phillips, slipped and fell with his licensed firearm around 7:30pm.

Pia was with her mother, a cousin and her two brothers - 14 and 10-years-old - when the gunmen pulled up in a vehicle and demanded that they come to them.

The mother jumped a wall and told the children to hide as Pia ran towards the house screaming, which caused her father, who was in the kitchen preparing dinner for the family, to rush out, a source said. He, however, tripped on some steps.

Yesterday, a cloud of sadness hovered over the Immaculate Conception High School in St Andrew.

During a special gathering of staff and students at the institution, tears flowed freely as tributes where paid to Pia, a promising upper sixth former, with approximately eight subjects to her credit and who was an avid netballer and part of the institution's track and field team.

Students hugged each other and wept openly. Staff members, as well, could not keep a dry eye. A condolence book was also opened at the school.

School had to be dismissed early to accommodate counselling for students and staff members.

"The students are taking it hard and the staff is struggling also," said vice-principal Aba Polson.

Pia's classmate, Caithlin Williams, the grade captain for class 13C described her as a jovial person who took her faith in God seriously.

"She is a friend who would always be there for you," Williams said.