The lead story in Tuesday's Gleaner is quite tragic.

Three children and their grandmother were killed after their home in Port Morant, St Thomas was torched. It is also believed that the grandmother was shot before the blaze was set.

Needless to say, the entire community, and also the nation, is in shock. Stories from neighbours who said they heard the children's cries for help as they were being burnt alive, also add horror to this chilling story.

Despite the numerous campaigns that have been launched and the many public service announcements that have been created, the criminal elements among us still target our children. In some instances, too, children suffer for the perceived misdeeds of the adults in their lives. In some cases, children are killed to send a message or to make a point. We do not know the reason or motive for this latest attack, but cases in the past have shown these things to be true.

We can only hope that those responsible for this gruesome act are found and punished accordingly and though it may be hard, we hope the family has the strength to persevere and get through a time like this.

There was a time when children were considered precious and were spared from violence. Today, however, they are fair game. It is our duty to protect our children as best we can and we can only beg the gunmen to spare their lives.