“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t remember him,” relative of teen in deadly sleepover
Although it has been almost two years since Rockey Sawh was killed by his best friend during a sleepover, his family is still trying to accept that he is no longer with them.
Rockey, who was just 15 years old and a Cummings Lodge Secondary School student, was shot in the head by his best friend on November 17, 2020.
The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) reported that Rockey’s best friend for eight years had reportedly breached the lock of his father’s wardrobe and took his licenced .32 Taurus Pistol.
After retrieving the gun, Rockey’s best friend showed it to him but accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting him in the head.
After the incident, Rockey was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted in a critical condition. After hours of fighting to survive, he drew his last breath at about 17: 00h on November 18, 2020.
On Friday last, Rockey, who was deemed a “smiling orange” due to his outgoing personality, would have celebrated his 17th birthday. However, memories of his helpful nature and his broad smile still remain fresh in the minds of his family.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t remember him. Seeing him grow up in front of me and knowing that he’s physically not here anymore, it puts me right back to the feeling where I was when we found out he died,” a relative told MTV News Update.
According to the family member, Rocky did not deserve to die the way he did. “I really missed him and wished he didn’t have to go through the painful death he experienced.”
The relative added that Rockey’s death was a devastating blow to the family, and his mother, Amrita Panday, who even now is still trying to accept this loss.
“It’s not easy for his mom and brothers. Some days it is hard for his mother to get up and talk to people or even smile.”
While attempting to speak with Rockey’s mother, she noted that she was not in the “right frame of mind.”
Notwithstanding, the relative described the teen as an outstanding individual who you can call on for help with anything.
“He’s a sweetheart. I know it’s cliche to hear that someone who died was all good, but he really was a sweetheart.
Soft-spoken, always willing to help around, and always smiling. It got so bad that we called him ‘smiling orange’ when we was in primary school.”
To this end, the family is hoping that they will arrive at a place where they can accept that a “smiling Rockey” is no longer here.
