Mom relives horror as Clarendon slaughter stirs painful memories

When Jenifer McDonald heard about last Sunday's massacre of eight people on Cherry Tree Lane in Clarendon, it triggered a flood of emotions, bringing back memories of the brutal slaughter of five of her own family members eight years ago. The pain is as fresh as if it had just happened.

McDonald, a vendor, credits the mercy of God for keeping her strong since that tragic day.

"When I heard about the Clarendon killings, it was like my incident was happening all over again. I felt the same pain in my belly as when my daughter was killed. Hearing about the children made me think of my grandchildren and the others who died. My head hurt, I felt dizzy -- there was just pain all over," she recalled.

In October 2016, McDonald lost her daughter and four other family members in a horrific attack at their home at March Pen Road, St Catherine. According to police reports, gunmen stormed two houses, kicking in doors and opening fire on the occupants. They then set the houses ablaze with the victims still inside. When the smoke cleared, the charred bodies of five people, including a child, were found among the rubble. Two other people were shot and injured.

"I saw when they were killing my daughter," McDonald recounted. "I saw when the boy kicked in the door, pulled back, and turned the gun into the house, then threw a bomb inside. My daughter ran out, trying to reach me, but she collapsed at my doorway. My niece, who was 14 years old, was in another house and got 14 gunshots. I still hear her screams, but thankfully she survived."

Many Jamaicans were shocked when they awoke last Monday to the news of the Cherry Tree Lane massacre, where eight people, including three women and a child, were murdered during a bingo party. Nine others, including a baby, were injured.

In offering words of comfort to those mourning the loss, McDonald urged them to trust in God to help them through this difficult time. "You wouldn't even understand, every day I have memories of what happened to me. My daughter and granddaughter were killed in that attack. The next three victims were my aunt and grandaunt. Just last week, I was in May Pen Market talking about it and the massacre in Four Paths. God carried me through, and He will carry those people through, too," she said.

In response to the tragic mass shooting on Cherry Tree Lane, the Government has declared a comprehensive crackdown on criminal gangs. McDonald, a mother of 10, supports the move but emphasises that parents have a crucial role in fighting crime.

"Unno need to break good principles in the children from early. Grow yuh children to be leaders and nuh make nuh body follow back a them, either. Mi beat that in mi children's heads and it pays," she said.

The 56-year-old woman also expressed frustration that no one has been brought to justice for the killing of her family members. She insisted that her children were properly raised and never involved in illegal activities.

"I beat the hell out of dem not to keep nuh friend and company. Mi use to beat dem, but it was for their own good," she said.

"Mi always tell dem (her sons) seh if mi see dem with a man, dem just dead. And if mi ever see dem with a gun, mi a go to the station and make police come kill unno with di gun. I was dead serious. The one whe did wah hold gun, him guh turn soldier," she said.