Quamari Serunkuma-Barnes family pleased ‘justice has been done’

Tribute left for Quamari (Image: Archant)

A 15-year-old boy was found guilty today of murdering Quamari outside Capital City Academy, in Doyle Gardens, on January 23.

Lavina Nelson, Quamari’s sister, said: “We are really pleased. It doesn’t bring him back but there’s a sense of relief that justice has been done and he can’t walk the streets after what he’s done.”

The 20-year-old added: “It’s so shocking, it hasn’t really sunk in. It’s still such a shock even today. Even though we hear the news and see the articles we can’t believe it’s our Quamari that’s everyone’s speaking about.

“Everyone’s lost for words to be honest, it’s just not something you expect.”

Quamari, described as a “shining star” by his family, had left school laughing and joking with friends the day he died.

But the teenage killer was waiting for him, chased him, before stabbing him multiple times. He then fled. Quamari died later that day in hospital after suffering internal bleeding and a cardiac arrest.

Thousands turned out for his funeral at the Sacred Heart Church, in Quex Road, in March.

The Ugandan and Jamaican flags of his family heritage from his mother Lillian Serunkuma and father Paul Barnes were placed on his coffin.

On these they placed symbols of his favourite items which included a Bob Marley poster, a painting of Quamari and his own sunglasses, a set of dominoes, a letter, three airline tickets from a family trip to Montego Bay and a box denoting a star which has been named after him.

Lavina added: “We are so so pleased Quamari’s been shown in this great light that he was. It’s so easy for people to twist it around and say it’s this community but we’re so pleased that hasn’t happened with Quamari. Everyone speaks of him so highly, and we’re so grateful for that. It goes to show what an amazing person he was.”

The 15-year-old killer, who can’t be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on September 4.