It's taken me a very long time to even approach writing this story. Brandon's face would flash across my mind at the oddest of times and I would go over all the information I have received in my head, thinking that I had finally found the approach that I wanted to take to write this particular article only to walk away from the computer shaking my head. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized why I was having such a hard time writing this article. It's because Brandon wasn't the rule, he was the exception TO the rule.

Brandon wasn't like other 15 year olds who worried only about the next football game, or the newest PS2 game. He didn't worry himself too much about girls, clothes or the neatest pair of $200.00 Nike shoes, he didn't have time. He was too busy trying to earn whatever meager living he could, help take care of his ailing father and finding furniture their small family to call their own. Brandon was a good kid, with a solid head on his shoulders, a smile on his face and hope in his heart. Someone, an unspeakable human being, took that smile away and squashed any hope that Brandon ever had by murdering him.

Here is Brandon's story. May you rest in peace Brandon and may God let you know that once this world knows you, like me, they will never forget you.

Brandon Glenn was born on April 18, 1987 to Donny and Kathy Glenn. He had two sisters, Leslie Smith and Michelle Patrick. Brandon didn't have much of a chance at life and what little chance he did have was marred with poverty, a broken family and a father with ailing health. No, Brandon didn't have much of a chance, but unlike other children his age might have done, Brandon didn't give up, he didn't lose hope, he clung to it, it was his lifeline. He dreamed of someday owning his own home, having a wife and children, a steady job, he dreamed the American dream.

Brandon's parents separated then divorced about a year ago. Brandon choose to live with his father but would visit his mother often and faithfully call her every day. She no longer gets that daily phone call, a pain that I'm sure, hurts far worse than any imaginable. Brandon and his father took up residence in an abandoned house that Donny had agreed to paint in exchange for living there. Brandon's father Donny was unskilled and made the meager living that he did by painting. He suffered from emphysema and only has one lung which prevented him from holding a regular job. This didn't phase Brandon a bit, he still choose to live with his father. The two of them would collect discarded furniture to help decorate their sparsely furnished home, they were even able to find a tv that worked for their living room. I'm told that Bradon's room was "fairly decent" and that the two of them managed to get by.

In order to help out, Brandon attempted to get several different jobs, but was, in the end, forced to lie about his age in order to gain employment. He grew a mustache and told everyone he was 17, it worked. It has been reported that Brandon held a part time job as a mechanic and did painting on the side.

Brandon left for lunch on the 3rd and never returned. This was totally out of character for Brandon, as he above all, needed his job. Later that night in the early hours of the next morning, neighbors reported hearing gun shots at approximately 2:00 a.m. (June 4th). As it's not uncommon for the area, the shooting went unreported.

At approximately 8:00 a.m. a resident of the neighborhood found Brandon's body in the alley in the 2500 block of 30th street in Ensley (Birmingham) Alabama. Brandon's father Donny, happened to notice the commotion and walked down the alley to find his only son shot dead. He identified Brandon to police.

Brandon was shot in the back with a large caliber rifle.

"I need someone to come forward that knew this kid," said Birmingham homicide Detective Roy Bristow. "They didn't shoot him for nothing. I believe he was shot while he was running away."

It has been told to this reporter that Brandon was "involved" with a young black female (overweight, in her early to mid twenties) named Tammeron. Tammeron had threatened Brandon on more than one occasion that if he attempted to leave her, well ... you get my point. Not much is known about this woman, except by police, other than the woman was terribly possessive and perhaps, emotionally unstable. Brandon broke up with her a few days before his death. It's interesting to note that Tammeron hadn't been seen the day Brandon died, nor has she been seen since.

Police need a break badly in this case. Brandon's friends and family also need this to be finished so they can find some sort of closure. Nothing will ever bring Brandon back, but to have his murderer behind bars, at least they could go on with their lives. Brandon's friends and family rented a local billboard in an attempt to help bring in leads that would solve his murder. The local Crime Stoppers unit has also taken on the case and the Governor's office has added a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for taking Brandon's life.

If you have information regarding the death of Brandon Glenn, please contact the Birmingham Police Department (Detective Bristow) at (205)-254-1764, Crime Stoppers at (205)-254-7777 (online at www.crimestoppers.com), Justice Junction (email us) or place your information on our Forum board located here. This story has also been featured on State To State Unsolved Crimes you can also submit your tips to them.