Former MW Student Killed by Saginaw Homeowner
Story By:Amy Sabbatini-Bearden
21-year-old Andrew Russell grew up in Mineral Wells, according to his mom, Cynthia Williams who has begun the difficult process of arranging his funeral. “He didn’t graduate from there, but that’s where he was raised.”
Sadly, it’s where his body will be buried this Saturday after he was tragically shot and killed by a home owner in Saginaw this week. Acccording to his mom, Russell likely suffered a medical event, became disoriented, left home looking for help and went to nearby neighbor’s homes knocking on doors. According to reports from the Saginaw Police Depa
rtment, on Monday Nov. 1st around 4am, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Babbling Brook Dr in reference to gunshots being fired. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased white male lying face down on the porch with what appeared to be multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers met with the reporting person who said they were awakened around 3:52 by someone banging on their front door. The resident said he made contact with Russell and then he began to walk away, but turned back and then rushed the resident. The resident fired multiple rounds as they retreated into the house, the report stated.
Williams said Russell suffered from Epilepsy and has been to the hospital at least 50 times since his diagnosis. “Its been so many times that the paramedics who showed up on the scene knew who he was,” said Williams.
Williams intended to meet with the funeral home but she received word from them that her son’s body was not being released yesterday as they expected, and was undergoing a second examination, she said. According to Williams, a second exam was being conducted and she hoped to have more information soon.
On Nov. 3, The Weatherford Democrat reported that the Tarrant County Medical Examiner had ruled the cause of death a homicide, but the medical examiner’s office has since pulled the public report, and according to Saginaw Assistant Chief of Police, Russell Ragsdale, it was removed to protect the home owners private information.
“The report was made public but after social media posts and possible threats were made, the report has been removed from the medical examiner’s public website to allow for personal information to be removed,” said Ragsdale. The investigation in on going but police expect to turn the evidence over to the Tarrant County District Attorney by the middle of next week to determine if any charges’s will be filed according to Ragsdale.
Williams, after speaking with the funeral home, says she has not seen her son’s body, nor been allowed to see any reports concerning the incident. She was told there are injuries to the body that indicate her son was retreating from the shooter’s property. She has taken to social media to bring awareness of her son’s death and hopes she can keep this from happening to someone else’s kid. Williams says she has hired Cannon Law Firm to help her seek justice for her son.
While William’s waits to see if any charges will be filed, she will continue to educate the public about Epilepsy and bring awareness of what can happen during a seizure. Tonight a benefit will be held for Andrew Russell in Weatherford at Old Texas West Bar and Grill at 8pm to help raise Epilepsy Awareness and funds for his family. The Andrew Russell GoFundMe Account has been established for his funeral expenses.
On Friday Nov. 5, there will be a candlelight vigil for Andrew at 7:30pm at the Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
