A 30-member search party consisting of family, friends, church members and the wider community joined combined efforts yesterday with the hope of finding the missing autistic teen, Shamar Harrigan.
Those who joined Sunday’s effort to find Harrigan combed through the Pigotts community and the city as there has been no sign of the 19-year-old since his mysterious disappearance from his home in Willikies on November 14.
Observer reached out to a leader of the search efforts, Harrigan’s sister Shauntelle Barton, who gave an update of the search.
The search of the Burma area (near Pigotts Village) began just around sunrise. Later, instead of attending church, the group convened at the East Bus Station before continuing the search in St John’s.
“We were behind there {Burma] from 6 in the morning and after that search yielded nothing, church members and everyone else decided to meet in town,” Barton told Observer.
She also shared that the family remains hopeful that Shamar will be found alive.
“The thought that he’s dead has never crossed our minds. The most that would cross our minds are different scenarios; probably he is somewhere chilling, just waiting to be found or he’s with somebody having the time of his life, not knowing the seriousness of the matter
“We have been thinking positive thoughts and we have been holding steadfast in our faith, saying that God will just allow him to come back home when his time is right,” Barton added.
Harrigan, who is said to have the mental capacity of a seven year old, was wearing a black and white shirt with light blue jeans, and was carrying a pink and blue backpack when he disappeared from his home.
The teen’s family and community have been canvasing areas surrounding his home since he was last seen and were supported by the police’s K-9 unit, as well as the Calvin Ayre helicopters last week.
Meanwhile, Shanar – Shamar’s twin brother – is advising anyone who sees his brother to call his name, alert the family or police, and attempt to keep him from wandering off until assistance arrives.
Anyone with information on Harrigan’s disappearance is being urged to contact the nearest police station, or the family at 716-9768.
A reward of $5,000 — which was donated by St Phillip’s North MP, Sir Robin Yearwood — is being offered for information leading to Shamar’s safe return.
