Who is Andrés Fernández De La Paz, the Cuban accused of murdering another person in Houston?

Andrés Fernández De La Paz, the Cuban accused of shooting Ediesky Inocencio Piñeiro at the door of his home in Houston, Texas, is a man with a criminal record and family ties to the victim.

Fernández, 36, is currently being held in the Harris County jail and faces a formal charge of murder, with bail set at $500,000.

Brother-in-law of the victim and with a criminal record

Fernández was the husband, for at least a year, of a sister of Piñeiro. He was the victim's former brother-in-law. According to statements from acquaintances, the relationship between the two was tense and marked by episodes of threats, as the suspect had said he would kill his ex-wife, her family, and then flee to Mexico.

In addition to this threatening behavior, the detained individual has a criminal record in the United States, including charges for fraudulent use of credit cards and a migration detention order issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 28.

Links to fraud schemes and serious backgrounds

Police sources revealed to Click 2 Houston that Fernández had been under investigation by the FBI since 2022 for leading a credit card cloning operation in Texas.

The Cuban was arrested in 2023 for placing devices at gas stations and was also linked to fraudulent purchases using stolen credit cards, although he was released on bail.

Additionally, he had already faced a murder charge in 2016, which was dismissed due to doubts about authorship and an alleged self-defense claim.

His immigration history also complicates the case. He entered the U.S. in 2014 with a temporary parole that expired without him leaving the country, and he has multiple immigration detention orders issued by ICE following previous arrests.

A premeditated murder captured on video

The murder took place in the afternoon of Sunday, April 27, at a residence located at 11200 Whittingham Lane, in the southwest area of Houston.

The police explained that Fernández arrived at his victim's house, violently smashed the door, and broke windows before leaving. Minutes later, he returned, knocked on the door again, and when Piñeiro opened it, he shot him straight in the chest.

Everything was recorded by the security cameras. The images show how the assailant approaches down the hallway, pulls a gun from his shorts, and fires without saying a word.

Although Piñeiro managed to lock the door after being shot, the injuries proved fatal. He was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he died.

Inside the home was the wife of the deceased, accompanied by their two young daughters. According to her testimony, witnessing the crime was a traumatic experience for the girls. The victim, 34 years old, also leaves behind a daughter in Cuba, now fatherless.

Arrest of Fernández and his appearance before the judiciary

Fernández was arrested on Monday, April 28, by the Houston police at his residence in Katy. This Wednesday, he appeared in the 482nd court of Harris County, where he was officially informed of the charges against him.

During the hearing, several sisters of the victim were present, including the ex-wife of the accused. The family has demanded justice for a crime that has shocked the Cuban community in Houston.

Both Ediesky Piñeiro and Andrés Fernández are originally from Manzanillo, in the Cuban province of Granma. The victim had arrived in the United States less than a year ago and was trying to make a way for himself as a father and provider for his family.

The crime has caused a strong shock, not only due to its brutality but also because it was witnessed by the deceased's closest loved ones, leaving a mark of pain and fear on the family.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Murder of Ediesky Piñeiro in Houston