Speyside Secondary mourns 'talented' footballer Lennox Eastman, 19

FORMER Speyside Secondary footballer Lennox Eastman, 19, has died 12 days after being shot in Lambeau, Tobago. It was the 21st murder in Tobago for 2024 – the bloodiest year in the island's history.

Eastman, of Silk Cotton Trace, Bon Accord, was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest at Browne’s Lane early on August 15. Police took him to hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Eastman played for Speyside Secondary in the Secondary Schools' Football League (SSFL) up to last season, helping the team avoid relegation.

On August 18, the SSFL Tobago Zone posted on social media asking the public to donate blood for Eastman.

Eastman died on August 27 at the Scarborough General Hospiral.

The SSFL Tobago Zone extended condolences to Eastman's family, friends and the Speyside Secondary team in a Facebook post on August 27.

Speyside Secondary Physical Education teacher and football team manger Kerry Lynch said he was shocked when he heard Eastman had been shot, and heartbroken when he found out he had died.

Lynch said he never got to see him in hospital, as he was in ICU throughout.

"I was in real shock and concern," Lynch told Newsday."Every day, myself and my wife ,who taught him at Pentecostal Light & Life, would call his mother."

Lynch said when they called to check on him on the morning of August 27, they got the terrible news.

"Man, I just say, a young talented boy lose his life to gun violence. It really hurt me."

He said he knew Eastman since he was nine years old.

"He grew up in my community (Calder Hall), went primary school in community. We used to take him home after training with our sports club. Then he went to Pentecostal Light & Life and then he came to Speyside through me."

Lynch said he never knew Eastman to be involved in any gangs or acts of violence.

"He was a boy grow up under me. As any youngster, he may have challenges, but, in general, he was a good, respectful boy, Every youth may have issues where you may have to correct them hard, but it was never a constant thing with him being disruptive or giving trouble."

"I wouldn't say that Lenny was involved in any fights or violence or them kinda thing.

"He was working hard on his SBAs (school-based assessments). He got a one in my subject. He was doing his work. He was really trying. He got three passes."

Lynch said it was crucial to be wary of the company one keeps.

Asked what he would tell his students and young people, Lynch said, "I think that for the youngsters impressed by persons carrying firearms – rather than be impressed, avoid them and report them confidentially.

"This thing about having a firearm or a 'piece' or an 'iron,'  it's like it's something impressive to them. Avoid these people."

In a phone interview, Speyside Secondary social studies teacher and sports master Jerron Smith said Eastman was always passionate about sports. Recalling a time he took Eastman to a track and field competition in Trinidad, Smith described him as a "willing participant.

"He never shied away from a challenge at all. In football, it was the same thing. He was very passionate about his sports."

Newsday also contacted head of Tobago police Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk on August 27. He sent condolences to Eastman's family.

He said the Homicide Bureau is currently pursuing some leads and is doing what it can with the information at hand.