By Ivan Pereira
A bus driver who moonlighted as an independent videographer was murdered along with one of his subjects Sunday afternoon while he was filming a music video in Jamaica, police said.
Andre Saunders, 32, was shot in the head and chest; Lamarr Wilson, 21, was shot in the head; and an unidentified 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg outside the Jamaica Houses at 160th Street and 109th Avenue around 4:30 p.m., according to investigators. Saunders was filming a rap video featuring Wilson and the teenager when gunshots rang out and hit the three, police said.
“He never had any enemies. He was trying to do something good,” said Saunders’ cousin, Joanie Brown.
Saunders, a bus operator for the MTA who used to live in the housing project, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, while Wilson was rushed to Mary Immaculate Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said. The teen victim was also taken to Mary Immaculate with a gunshot wound to the leg, but was listed in stable condition Tuesday, according to investigators.
Police said they had no suspects and the investigation was ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon. Some of Saunders’ friends, who asked not to be named, said rival rappers might be responsible. However, the police would not comment on that rumor.
Brown said Saunders loved to shoot music videos for friends on his free time and help them promote their careers. The bus driver had moved out of the Jamaica neighborhood to Long Island with his wife two years ago, according to his cousin Brown.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls will be kept confidential.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
