Who is Andrés Fernández De La Paz, the Cuban Accused of Murdering Another in Houston?

Andrés Fernández De La Paz, a Cuban national accused of fatally shooting Ediesky Inocencio Piñeiro at his doorstep in Houston, Texas, has a criminal past and familial ties to the victim. Currently held in Harris County Jail, Fernández, 36, faces a murder charge with bail set at $500,000.

Estranged Family Ties and a Criminal Record

Fernández was married for at least a year to Piñeiro's sister, making him the victim's former brother-in-law. According to close sources, the relationship between Fernández and Piñeiro was fraught with tension and threats, as Fernández allegedly claimed he would kill his ex-wife and her family before fleeing to Mexico.

Aside from his menacing behavior, Fernández has a criminal history in the United States, involving charges for fraudulent credit card use and an ICE immigration detainer issued on April 28. Police sources disclosed to Click 2 Houston that Fernández has been under FBI investigation since 2022 for leading a card cloning operation in Texas.

Fraudulent Schemes and Serious Offenses

In 2023, the Cuban was arrested for installing skimming devices at gas stations and was linked to fraudulent purchases made with stolen cards, though he was released on bail. Earlier, in 2016, he faced a murder charge that was dismissed due to questions about his involvement and a claim of self-defense.

Fernández's immigration status further complicates the case. He entered the U.S. in 2014 under a temporary parole that expired without his departure, leading to multiple ICE detainers following prior arrests.

A Premeditated Murder Caught on Camera

The murder unfolded on the afternoon of Sunday, April 27, at a residence on the 11200 block of Whittingham Lane, southwest Houston. Police stated that Fernández initially arrived at Piñeiro's home, forcefully knocked on the door, broke windows, and left. Moments later, he returned, and upon Piñeiro opening the door, Fernández shot him directly in the chest.

Surveillance footage captured the entire incident, showing Fernández approaching the hallway, drawing a firearm from his shorts, and firing without a word. Despite Piñeiro managing to lock the door after being shot, the injuries were fatal, leading to his death at Ben Taub General Hospital.

Inside the home were Piñeiro's wife and their two young daughters, who witnessed the harrowing event. The victim, aged 34, leaves behind another daughter in Cuba, now fatherless.

Fernández's Arrest and Court Appearance

Fernández was apprehended on Monday, April 28, by Houston police at his Katy residence. He appeared in Harris County’s 482nd court on Wednesday, where he was formally charged. Present at the hearing were several of the victim's sisters, including Fernández's ex-wife. The family has demanded justice for a crime that has shocked the Cuban community in Houston.

Both Ediesky Piñeiro and Andrés Fernández hail from Manzanillo in Cuba's Granma province. Piñeiro had arrived in the U.S. less than a year ago, trying to build a life as a father and provider. The brutality of the crime and its impact on the victim's closest loved ones have left a lasting impression of grief and fear.