By: Myesha Broadie and Natalie Campbell

Emotions were high, at the St. John’s Primary school in St. Catherine today, as students and staff gathered to remember slain pupil Kelsey Ferrigon.

Their sadness briefly turned into relief, after it was disclosed that her suspected killer Giovanni Ellis was fatally shot by police in Clarendon this morning.

Ellis’ demise came days after 9-year-old Kelsey was found dead on Friday.

Her partially naked body  was discovered upside down inside a barrel at her home in Job Lane,  Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

She had been beaten and sexually assaulted.

Police named 30-year-old  Ellis also called “coolie man” as a person of interest and urged him to surrender.

Head of police area 5 Assistant Commissioner ACP Christopher Phillips says a team from the St Catherine North Police, acting on intelligence, went to a premises in Rose Hall District, Clarendon, where Ellis was seen.

The incident happened at about 11:am

He is urging calm, while asking  everyone to be more vigilant in the care and protection of children.

Counselling is being provided to students and staff.