Braeton, Jamaica massacre

From MemoryArchive

Who: Andre
What: Braeton Shooting
When: March, 14, 2001
Where: Portmore, Jamaica

I migrated here with my sister from Jamaica on September 23rd 2000. Two out of my mother's three children were granted access to the States because the U.S immigration had made a mistake on the document involved with my brother's file. I remember vividly, on march 14 2001 while doing an assignment in my college laboratory I received a call from my uncle. He calmly told me to meet him outside the school's building as he wanted to see me. I thought it was weird that he came to my school and made such an unusual request. I thought maybe he was going to surprise somewhat and he wanted me to be a part of it. I went downstairs to meet my uncle and the look on his face resonates fret and uneasiness. I asked him what was wrong and he told me to walk with him to my mom's office that was located only across the street from where my school was. I figured it was something serious as he was consoling me before he even mention what it is that he wanted to say.

My uncle told me that my brother was shot in Jamaica. The first thing I asked was if he was ok. He didn't respond. I broke down. I knew his silence was an indication that he wasn't. Lancebert, my brother, was killed. I then asked for my mother and my sister, I knew that now the most important thing was for me to make sure I helped my mom maintain her sanity during this time. We met up with her and we consoled each other.

I thereafter, learned that he was not the only one who was killed, six other teenagers were killed also. Amnesty International, a group based in England and advocate human rights, got involved and spent about three years attempting to bring this ludacris act of massacre to justice. I will never forget how this affected my family and how the lost of my only brother totally changed our life together. His life and what he contributed to the family will never go unnoticed or forgotten. Lancebert Clarke R.I.P