Frank Edwards Jr. Gunned Down in San Pedro

Frank Edwards Jr.

Frank Edwards Junior was accused of murdering James Swan and Eduardo Gutierrez and burying them in a shallow grave in 2009. He was also accused of killing a security guard during a Scotiabank robbery in 2010. He walked free from both those capital charges. In February 2015 Edwards was also a suspect in the murder of two year old toddler Daniel Espat, killed while he slept…but again he was released. The twenty-seven-year old fisherman from San Mateo, San Pedro Town has led a violent life, much of it spent on the wrong side of the law. But tonight that life was ended the same way it was spent – in extreme violence – snuffed out in a hail of bullets. Mike Rudon was in San Pedro this morning and has the story. 

Mike Rudon, Reporting

At around nine last night, twenty-seven-year-old fisherman Frank Edwards Jr. was relaxing in the hall of his home, located on the side of the lagoon in San Mateo. His common-law-wife and week-old child were in the bedroom located at the rear of the upper flat. That’s when a boat coasted silently up the lagoon to this spot and masked gunmen made their way across the yard and up the steps. One of them shouted at Edwards to open up, telling him that they were the Police. Edwards opened the door and he was gunned down there in his hall, his body riddled with bullets. Police would count as many as thirty obvious holes in his upper body and head, some of them made with pellets from a shotgun shell.

Insp. Henry Jemott, Deputy Coastal Executive Officer

Insp. Henry Jemott

“A total of about thirty expended cases were picked up at the scene – various calibers of weapons – .45 calibre, 9mm, and also 12 -gauge cartridges were recovered from the scene. We later confirmed the male person to be Frank ‘Sono’ Edwards. He is a resident of San Pedro, a 27 year old, a fisherman of the said location. Because of the demographics of San Pedro most people use boats to get from point A to point B. The area where Mr. Edwards’ house is located is near the lagoon side and we are suspecting that a boat was used to reach the area and a boat was used to make their escape.”

The men continued firing after Edwards went down, some of the bullets penetrating the floor to the lower flat where his grandmother lived, but none hitting her. Because of his past, Edwards would no doubt have collected any number of enemies, but who would have wanted to kill him with this level of savagery? Could it be revenge served cold – a year later for the murder of toddler Daniel Espat? In February 2015, two year old Daniel Espat was a casualty of an ongoing drug war between families. The target was Rolando Espat Sr. and Edwards was detained as a suspect.

Insp. Henry Jemott

“We noticed after reflecting on certain things that today is also the day that Daniel Espat, the toddler killed would complete one year today, so this might be a significant lead in our case that might assist us in recovering these people. So far we have two of the Espat brothers detained. I won’t reveal their full names because we are still investigating, but so far that is what we have with the investigation. We have since recorded two witness statements and are waiting for the general public and people in the area to assist in coming forward and giving us more information.”

The life led by Edwards, and multiple brushes with lawlessness, has made this investigation all the more difficult.

Insp. Henry Jemott

“Because of the allegations against him in the past…I say allegations because some of these cases have not been proven…but as you would say the street does not forget anything. It would be difficult. We are exploring that angle because of the information we have received but we are open to other angles and to other leads. That’s why I’m imploring the general public to assist in coming forward and giving us the information that we need to solve this latest murder in San Pedro.”

Family members told us that in past weeks Edwards seemed at peace, and they prayed that the past was well and truly behind him. Obviously, it wasn’t.

Insp. Henry Jemott

“From last year we haven’t had a direct run in with him. The last time that he was actually detained and we had dealt with him was around the same time as the murder of the toddler Daniel Espat. After that we had seen a decline with him even coming by the Station. I found myself having two counseling classes here with him and his father so I would say he was making a little turn, but like I say it is difficult when the street alleges that you have done so many things as a drug boss or crime boss. So it’s difficult.”

Frank Edwards Jr. had only one child – one week old – whose only memory of her father, if any, will be the sound of the gunfire which ended his life. Mike Rudon reporting for News Five.