LaShanda Armstrong

Background

LaShanda Armstrong was 25 when she drove a minivan into the Hudson River, killing herself and her three young children.

Armstrong had four children in total: 5-year-old Landen Pierre, 2-year-old Lance Pierre, 11-month-old Laianna Pierre, and 10-year-old LaShaun Armstrong, who survived by escaping from the sinking vehicle.

Family members later described tensions and conflict involving the father of the three youngest children, Jean Pierre. In his first public statement since the incident, Jean Pierre said he thought it would be best for his dead children to be mourned separately from Armstrong.

The offence

Armstrong intentionally drove a minivan down a boat ramp in Newburgh into the Hudson River after an argument with Mr Pierre, identified as the father who fathered the three youngest children.

LaShaun Armstrong escaped from the sinking van by clambering through a window and swimming to shore. The soaked and freezing boy was found by a passer and taken to a hospital before he divulged the family’s story.

Police said the investigation suggested Armstrong intentionally drove the vehicle into the Hudson in Newburgh, New York.

There were reports that Armstrong may have attempted to reverse out of the river to save herself and her children. Only half an hour before the incident, she left a message on Facebook, writing: “I’m sorry everyone forgive me please for what I’m gonna do… This is it!!!”

During the sinking, LaShaun told witnesses that Armstrong cradled the children in the back seat and that she told him: “If I’m going to die, you’re going to die with me”. He also told police and witnesses that as he escaped, Armstrong said: “I made a mistake. I made a terrible mistake” and was trying to reverse the car out of the river as it sank deeper into the water.

A neighbor described an argument as simmering resentment tied to allegations that Jean Pierre was cheating. A friend alleged Armstrong “snapped” after finding out Pierre was cheating on her by sleeping with another woman.

Investigation

Prosecutors said they treated the incident as a triple murder-suicide and that based on all available information, “there is no one else who can be held criminally liable in this case”. Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillips said: “Based on all the information available, there is no one else who can be held criminally liable in this case.”

Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillips added that it may take weeks before autopsy findings were completed due to the need to receive toxicology results.

Police received a call from a relative of LaShanda Armstrong. The call reported a “domestic disturbance” and “tussling in the background”, indicating some kind of row. Police also noted a history of domestic problems in the family.

Newburgh police chief Michael Ferrara said investigators were hoping anyone who witnessed the incident would come forward with more details about what happened in the fatal minutes.

Newburgh police chief Michael Ferrara refused to comment on whether or not there were any attempts by Armstrong or others to free themselves. Fire chief Michael Vatter said the minivan sank about 25 feet out and went 8 feet down.

Arrest / prior incidents

Jean Pierre was arrested in February for endangering the welfare of a child. Police stated that on Feb. 7, 2-year-old Lance Pierre was found wandering on William Street at 1:14 a.m. in cold temperatures with wet clothing. Police said Pierre was in charge of the child at the time.

Police said Pierre was arrested three days later on February 10 alongside a woman named Shannel Baez. Police said Baez gave conflicting accounts of being both the boy’s babysitter and his mother.

The Newburgh police chief confirmed that Jean Pierre was the father of the three children who perished in the tragedy, and said police ruled out potential criminal charges against him.

An attorney for Jean Pierre said it was his understanding that a charge of endangerment against Pierre was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, meaning if Pierre stayed out of trouble for a certain period the charge would be dropped. Powers said earlier reports that a judge had ordered Pierre to stay away from his children were incorrect.

Jean Pierre was banned from contact with his 2-year-old son, Lance in April. The order came after the boy was found wandering barefoot in snow after Pierre had apparently gone out with another woman. He was subsequently arrested three days later for endangering the welfare of a child.

Evidence and communications

A Facebook message left shortly before the incident read: “I’m sorry everyone forgive me please for what I’m gonna do… This is it!!!”

A neighbor described Jean Pierre pounding on Armstrong’s door for 30 minutes before Armstrong drove off. Speaking to a newspaper, neighbor Latoya James said: “The dad was banging on the door real loud. 'He called to her, 'Open the f******* door' He was there about a half an hour - he was on the phone as well.'”

In the aftermath, a woman said Armstrong’s neighbors could often be heard fighting with each other. Sharon Ramirez said Pierre treated Armstrong “like his territory” and described Armstrong’s distress after confronting Pierre about his infidelity.

Sharon Ramirez said:

“On the surface Jean Pierre and her were the perfect couple but below the surface there were a lot of problems.
'He was sleeping around and when she confronted him about it he laughed. He left her at one point because she wouldn't put up with it. 'He was old fashioned and treated her like his territory. 'She'd had her suspicions about him and when she confronted him about a month ago he just laughed at her. 'When we were seeing each other he told me he had kids but not that he was seeing somebody, when he was. 'She must have just snapped. Knowing her and knowing the way she is, she just couldn't take it any more. 'Whatever he said that night, it was the final straw.'”

Timeline

• April 12 — Armstrong loaded 5-year-old Landen Pierre, 2-year-old Lance Pierre, 11-month-old Laianna Pierre, and 10-year-old LaShaun Armstrong into a minivan after an argument with the father of the three youngest, and drove down a boat ramp into the Hudson River.
• Feb. 7 — 2-year-old Lance Pierre was found wandering alone on William Street in cold temperatures with wet clothing at 1:14 a.m.
• February 10 — Jean Pierre was arrested three days later for endangering the welfare of a child alongside Shannel Baez.
• February — Police confirmed an arrest of Jean Pierre for endangering the welfare of a minor.
• April 14 — Police chief Michael Ferrara said investigators may never determine Armstrong’s mental state.
• April 15 — Prosecutors said they treated the incident as a triple murder and suicide and that “there is no one else who can be held criminally liable in this case”.
• April 16 — DailyMail reported Jean Pierre was heard “pounding on her door for 30 minutes” before Armstrong drove off.
• April 20 — NewsOne reported Jean Pierre broke his public silence and said he was “not directly responsible for the tragedy” and wished he could change parts of his past.
• April 25, 2011 — DailyMail reported tensions at a private funeral and that relatives were kicked out after a clash.

Arrest / communications about charging

Police said they had previously arrested Pierre on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor stemming from the February incident involving Lance Pierre. Police said they ruled out potential criminal charges against Jean Pierre.

Jean Pierre’s prepared statement released through a lawyer said:

“I have been inaccurately portrayed as being directly responsible for the tragedy,”
“If I could, I would have changed some things in my past.”

Trial

No trial information was provided.

Sentencing

No sentencing information was provided.

Appeals

No appeals information was provided.

Outcome

Armstrong died in the incident. LaShaun Armstrong survived by escaping the sinking minivan by clambering out through a window and swimming to shore.

Police confirmed that the three children who died were Landen Pierre, 5; Lance Pierre, 2; and Laianna Pierre, 11-months old. LaShaun was the lone survivor.

Prosecutors said there was no one else who could be held criminally liable in the case.

Aftermath

Funeral and family tensions

A private funeral service for the three children took place at a Spring Valley funeral home, followed by a private family burial in Congers.

During the funeral, a relative of Armstrong’s mother, Gwendolen Green, said she had been kicked out after standing up for her 17-year-old son who was being “manhandled.” Green said: “The last straw was when they messed with my child,” and also said: “I don't care. This side of the family matters.”

Green said she was not on the list but managed to get in, saying: “You're not going to keep me from going in and seeing my family,” and described factions inside the funeral home: “You could cut the tension with a knife,”

Green said La’Shau did not attend the service for the three siblings and that it was “too much for him.”

Reporting about separate services

Last week, Jean Pierre said it would be best for his dead children to be mourned separately, much to the distress of Armstrong’s family. A joint funeral had been planned for Armstrong and the children, but Jean Pierre held a separate service for the children.

Jean Pierre said he did not want to attend Armstrong’s funeral because he did not want to be a distraction. His attorney, Stephen J. Powers, said Pierre was devastated and stayed with relatives. Powers said Pierre would spend the day preparing for Monday’s funeral for his children.

Jean Pierre said:

“I loved Landen, Lance, Laianna, Lashanda and still love La’Shaun with all my heart,”
“and am shocked and distraught by what happened.”

Response and investigation support

Fire chief Michael Vatter said four counselors from the Orange County Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team arrived late Tuesday night to speak with firefighters, emergency medical technicians and police officers about coping with trauma. Vatter said the responders were advised not to hold their emotions inside and that resources were available.

Vatter also said the dispatcher Donna Pawlowski came in to relieve Ishmael Torres because “After what (Torres) had been through, (Pawlowski) thought he needed a break.”

Statements about local impact

Newburgh mayor Mike Valentine said the tragedy was “second to none” and that the city was going through a difficult time. Mayor Nicholas Valentine said Tuesday’s incident was certain to have “a lasting effect on this city.” He also said: “At times like these, we are all one and if anyone needs help, we are there for them.”

Community witnesses and rescue details

Meave Ryan, 31, said she saw LaShaun waving his arms. She said he told her: “My mummy just drove the car in the water”. Ryan said: “He was waving his hands, screaming "Help me!",” and also said: “He said: "Mom just drove the car into the water," she added.”

Ryan reported that LaShaun told her his mother had been upset by cheating and that his mother had packed the children and sped into the river.

Ryan said she heard LaShaun describe his mother’s actions: “had all her children cradled in her arms” and the statement: “If I'm going to die... you're all going to die with me.”

Fire chief Michael Vatter said it took responders an hour of searching, using dive teams and a circling helicopter, to find the four bodies and the van submerged in eight feet of water.

“It makes all the more difficult for us.
First responders tend to be young adults with children themselves so the ramifications of this with all the alleged circumstances can go very deeply into the psyche of the community.”

Medical and police processing

The bodies were taken out of the van and transported to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies.

Child welfare counseling

Valentine said City Councilwoman Marge Bell, a licensed social worker, had arranged for children at the two schools to receive appropriate counseling.

Valentine said Landen Pierre attended the district’s Pre-K Center at Washington Street, while LaShaun Armstrong was a student at the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s Gidney Avenue Memorial School, a magnet school. Desiree Watson, the owner of Young and Unique Christian Development, said Armstrong arrived about six hours earlier than usual on the day before the tragedy and that Armstrong said her work schedule would vary.

Other details

People involved and relationships mentioned

Jean Pierre was described as the father of the three youngest children. The text described him as Armstrong’s boyfriend and also referenced him as a high school prom date and as not living with Armstrong.

Sharon Ramirez said she had a relationship with Jean Pierre for three months when Armstrong was pregnant with Lainaina. Sharon Ramirez said: she was sleeping with him at the start of last year and that the relationship ended, and she later became friends with Armstrong.

Shannel Baez was named in connection with the February incident as someone who gave conflicting accounts to police about being either the boy’s babysitter or his mother.

Darice Armstrong was Armstrong’s sister and gave interviews about Armstrong’s behavior in the weeks before the tragedy. Her brother Lenny Armstrong also gave an interview in which he said Armstrong started calling family and apologizing, saying sorry.

Angela Gilliam was identified as Armstrong’s aunt and was associated with the 911 call and described as being concerned enough to drive to the apartment.

Details of the children

• Landen Pierre was 5 years old.
• Lance Pierre was 2 years old.
• Laianna Pierre was 11 months old.
• LaShaun Armstrong was 10 years old and was the only survivor.

Locations mentioned

The incident occurred at a boat ramp in Newburgh, New York, and the vehicle went into the Hudson River. The funeral was held at a Spring Valley funeral home, and burial took place in Congers. A domestic incident call was connected to an apartment on William Street, referenced as 53 William St. in Newburgh. The police call was described as coming before officers arrived, and a relative’s report said the mother and children were in danger.

Quotes about the survivors

After the confrontation, Latoya James reported that the only surviving child told Pierre: “Daddy, I love you.” Pierre then said: “I love you too, man,” and kissed him on the forehead.

A neighbor alleged Armstrong’s boyfriend pounded on her door for 30 minutes before the incident. Another account said officers received a call at 7:43 p.m. and that the incident began at the waterfront after Armstrong drove off from her apartment.