Relatives deny slain teen was a gang member: He was innocent

As arrangements are being finalised to lay to rest teenager Joshua Andrews and taxi driver Devon Fernandez, family members of the murdered teen yesterday denied claims that he was the intended target of the shooting on Monday.

Earlier reports in other media sources suggested police were working on the theory that Andrews, 14, may have been the intended victim. The report also said Andrews was a gang member.

But relatives yesterday spoke out against the reports.

“He was an innocent,” said a relative of Andrews. “I cannot speak for anyone else, but I know he was not in any gang. These people are going around and saying the wrong thing.”

There were also rumours circulating that 33-year-old Fernandez may have been the target, but relatives said he too was never involved in any gang activity, or any other activity that would warrant his being killed. Relatives told Newsday Fernandez had started going home earlier because shootings had increased along his route.

Andrews’ funeral is scheduled for Monday at 11am, at Simpson’s Funeral Home on Eastern Main Road. The funeral for Fernandez is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 am, at OP Allen’s Funeral Chapel in San Juan.

At the police press briefing yesterday, public information officer Michael Jackman said police have not yet determined who was the intended target, and could not confirm or deny whether it was Andrews. He said police are pursuing all possible leads in the matter. Reporters were also told several statements had been taken.

Police, he said, will maintain a heightened in the Trou Macaque area to ensure the security and safety of Morvant residents.

On Monday, just after 3 pm, Fernandez was driving along Pelican Drive Extension, Morvant, with Andrews and other schoolchildren as passengers, when the car was intercepted and riddled with bullets. The car burst into flames.

While Andrews and Fernandez died, two students survived. One was shot in the hand, and the other shot in the face. Police told Newsday the two have been treated at hospital and released.