Jean Pierre and LaShanda Armstrong.
By Nancy Peckenham
The father of the three children killed along with their mother when she drove them into the Hudson River last week said on Wednesday that he has been inaccurately portrayed as being directly responsible for the tragedy. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Pierre made the claim in a statement released by his lawyer, Stephen J. Powers, who added that his client is going through a lot emotions. “This is a shock to his system,” Powers said.
Last Tuesday evening, police were called to the apartment of the children’s mother, LaShanda Armstrong, for a domestic dispute shortly before she killed herself and three of her children. Several relatives said that she was despondent about her relationship with Pierre, the father of the children who perished. Attorney Powers said that he met Armstrong while the two were in high school.
“If I could, I would have changed some things in my past. I loved Landen, Lance, Laianna, Lashanda and still love La’Shaun with all my heart, and am shocked and distraught by what happened,” Pierre said in the statement. In February, Pierre was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after a neighbor found 2-year-old Lance Pierre wandering on William St. at approximately 1:14 A.M. not fully dressed, with wet clothing in cold temperatures.
“This has been a very devastating tragedy for all concerned, and I would like to thank everyone who has expressed their sympathy and support,” Pierre said.
Powers explained that as the children’s next of kin, Pierre has the legal right to determine their funeral arrangements. He decided that the children will be buried following a private family service at the Alphonso E. Brown Funeral Home, Spring Valley, NY at 11 am on Monday, April 25. A private family burial will follow. Their mother, Lashanda, was buried on Thursday, following a service at the First Baptist Church of Spring Valley.
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