RALPH BANWARIE
Members of the Borel family were still trying to come to terms with the tragic news of their relative Tyreke Borel, who was shot to death during West Indian Day festivities in Brooklyn on Monday.
They explained that several of them had only just said farewell to him after spending some of the school vacation period in Brooklyn and returning home last Saturday.
Aunt Leiba Borel-Dardaine, who said she took care of Tyreke from five years until 12 years when he migrated to Brooklyn, said he was like her own son.
She said last Saturday they had a conversation about his returning to school today to finish his degree in mechanical engineering, adding she was anxious to attend his graduation when he had achieved his goal.
“When I was leaving he hugged and kissed me and said ‘I will see you for Christmas,’ have a safe life,” she recalled at the family’s home at Nestor, Tamana.
The entire community was also said to be in mourning as Tyreke was said to have been liked by many for the manner in which he conducted himself.
Borel-Dardaine said Tyreke had loved J’Ouvert since he was in Trinidad and played in bands for Carnival in Sangre Grande.
According to reports, Tyreke was shot in the chest as he sat on a bench to take a break at Flatbush and Empire Boulevards around 3.45 am.
His aunt Roxanne, who always had fun with him, recalled that when they both had a quarrel he would always say don't interfere with them.
“Tyreke was my boss. He will ask me ‘Where are you going?’ My boss was Tyreke. He was very respectful and loved children and remained close to them. His favourite sport was basketball,” Roxanne said.
Tyreke’s uncle Damien Dardaine, who also spent vacation with him in Brooklyn, described his nephew as a good soldier.
“Before I left I told him to be careful, stay strong, not knowing that this was the last holidays we were all spending with Tyreke. I remained shocked at his killing, knowing that only a day he was alive having fun and now he is dead, bringing sadness to the entire Borel family,” he said.
Grandfather Kelvin Borel, a former principal of the Cunapo RC School, said when he first heard of the shooting of a Trinidadian he could not have believed it would have been Tyreke.
“I am shocked and still have to come to terms with the most saddening news,” he said.
The senior Borel said they both spoke about the importance of an education and he had motivated Tyreke to pursue his goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. He said Tyreke worked part time in the library of his Boys & Girls High School and was always occupied doing activities that benefited him, adding he was very proud of his young grandson’s attitude and ambition in achieving his goal.
He said although Tyreke had migrated some four years ago, this was the first year he had gone to J’Ouvert festivities. He said his parent allowed him to do so because of the responsibility he demonstrated.
His mother, Alima St Clair, told the NY Daily News on Monday she had warned Tyreke to stay at home but he insisted on going to J'Ouvert with his friends.