‘Sandy Hook’ victim Jesse Lewis was tragically murdered on Dec. 14 during the shooting massacre that killed 20 students. His mom recounts the devastating moment she found out her precious son wasn’t coming home.
Scarlett Lewis remembered the last time she saw her sweet son Jesse Lewis, 6. It was the crisp morning of Dec. 13, and Jesse’s father was picking him up from Scarlett’s Newtown home.
“He had written on my car on the side window — it had frost on it — ‘I love you,’ and I said, ‘Oh, Jesse, I have to take a picture of that,’” the single mom told People. “Thank God,” she said, that she captured that precious moment forever.
On Friday Dec. 14, Scarlett had planned to leave work early to go to Jesse’s school and help him make gingerbread houses. Then a friend of hers sent a shocking text — there’s been a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The Worried Mom’s Frantic Dash to School
When Scarlett got to the school, she saw the road leading up to Sandy Hook Elementary clogged with police cars and emergency vehicles. She parked on the side of the road, got out and went to the firehouse where they had safely evacuated most of the students.
She was looking for Jesse, but he was no where to be found — and she was waiting with other parents who also didn’t have their children.
Even though a police officer insisted they were continuing to sweep the school for any children, and that some may be hiding, Scarlett said deep down, she knew something wasn’t right.
“We came back to the firehouse and waited,” she told the magazine. “But I just kind of knew. All the other kids are gone; we’re just sitting there.”
The Tragic Aftermath
After she gave a description of her son to a state trooper, a doctor came to speak to her and her family. “There’s no easy way to say this, but of the children who are missing, there are no survivors.”
Scarlett had to comfort her older son JT, who was devastated and sobbing. “We know where he is, and he’s in a better place,” she said.
Jesse Died a Hero
State troopers said the positioning of Jesse’s body was consistent with him running into the gun fire — not away. And that he likely helped other kids try to escape.
“With Jesse, I have absolutely no regrets,” she told People. ”I loved him to pieces, and he knew it, and I knew he loved me to pieces. That is a blessing. Jesse was a gift.”
Such a remarkable story of bravery. Our thoughts are with Scarlett and her family, as well as the other victims of the tragic massacre.
What did YOU like about Scarlett’s story HollyMoms?
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Tina Provencher Deily
Posted at 3:10 PM on December 24, 2012
This is so sad and horrific. What a beautiful boy you had…. Looked alot like both parents. I can’t imagine what you are going through. You are a single Mom and have to deal with this alone. I am so sorry for your loss… Jesse wrote I love You on the frost of your car, it sounds like you were doing such a fine job raising such a lovely and loving child. You will be blessed. I too am a single Mom and recognize that you are a fantastic mother.