Dear Sir,

Let us turn our thoughts from hatred and revenge to compassion, kindness and understanding.

This poor little boy, Nikolas Cruz was innocently born free from sin 19 years ago.

He was apparently so slashed and hurt, and scarred by spiteful, cruel words and teasing and being bullied, with no one to stand up for him, that it changed his personality.

Suffering so much pain being taunted day after day and year after year, bleeding emotionally, that the only comfort he felt he could get was to do to others what he had endured for so long.

The above are assumptions on my part, but that we will hear over and over again in days to come.

It is always about education, family and a very cruel school system, whereby there must be from the teachers, the home and the system offers of support and a kind of comfort when severe bullying is taking place.

He should have been observed by a very dedicated, observant someone who cared for or loved him so he could release his hurt and anger.

We are all responsible when our children do these things; along the way we have allowed a needy child to suffer alone and ignored.

We will watch on our TVs a dreadful waste of time. Why? How? Money spent on this and that. It starts with the child and ends with the child — and us. Go to the source: we are the ones that are failing our youth.

It will take time and possibly a generation.

We are watching and seeing a dangerously cruel streak that is entering some of our youths’ behaviour — never seen before — that, if neglected, could make it just too dangerous to be outside.

In every phase of a child’s growing up, they need love, cuddles and understanding so that when they love themselves, they have the source to give from.

DIANA WILLIAMS