In a heartrending display of compassion amid tragedy, five-year-old Quay’liah Arnett celebrated her birthday this week under the protective wing of Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings, who has become an unexpected pillar of support since the child witnessed her father’s brutal murder nearly one year ago.
The February 2023 shooting of 24-year-old Quintero Arnett sent shockwaves through the nation, with CCTV footage capturing the horrific moment when gunmen opened fire as his young daughter fled for safety. The disturbing visual evidence sparked national outrage and demands for justice, though no charges have been filed against the perpetrators to date.
Against this backdrop of unresolved violence, CSP Skippings has quietly integrated herself into the child’s recovery journey. On Tuesday, the senior officer organized a special birthday surprise at the police station with permission from Quay’liah’s grandfather, presenting the child with a new doll and headphones. The celebration evoked powerful parallels to photographs taken shortly after the murder, showing the same embrace between officer and child, both moments marked by Quay’liah’s resilient smile.
‘These seemingly small gestures of kindness create profound impacts,’ CSP Skippings told The Tribune. ‘This represents how policing evolves—building trust with younger generations through consistent demonstrations of care, concern, and genuine human connection.’
The relationship extends far beyond symbolic gestures. CSP Skippings maintains regular contact with the family and has committed to mentoring Quay’liah throughout her childhood. ‘We maintain active interest in her wellbeing to ensure she receives the love she deserves,’ she explained, praising the family’s ongoing care while emphasizing law enforcement’s role as a permanent support system.
Family members remember Quintero as a dedicated father and hardworker with no criminal affiliations, believing he was not the intended target. His father, Quinton Arnett, expressed gratitude for CSP Skippings’ sustained involvement, noting that while his granddaughter frequently asks about her father, she remains too young to comprehend the permanence of her loss.
‘I navigate this grief day by day,’ Mr. Arnett shared. ‘The pain persists, particularly knowing those responsible remain at large.’ He hopes Quay’liah will eventually understand the depth of her father’s love, evidenced by his final act of opening the car door to facilitate her escape during the attack.
CSP Skippings, who had met Quintero just one day before his death, recalled him as a ‘positive young man with a promising future’ seen playing basketball with his daughter at the police station. She now carries a ‘sense of obligation’ to honor his memory through supporting Quay’liah’s journey toward becoming a ‘joyful, responsible citizen.’
