Almost two weeks after 16-year-old Andy Zeng’s was shot in the head in San Francisco, he’s been laid to rest — but his family, as you can surely imagine, continues to suffer.
On April 13 Zeng’s body was discovered in a Silver Terrace home after officers responded to two 911 calls reporting the smell of gas in the area.
A 15-year-old has since confessed that he shot Zeng in the head, and now faces murder charges. His defense attorney has stated that his client thought the gun was unloaded and that the shooting was accidental.
Three teens were originally arrested in this case in addition to the 15-year-old, but just two have been charged. 18-year-old Jimmy Lei is the other suspect, currently charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact. Lei, who’s already pleaded not guilty, allegedly said he’d help with the disposal of the body by bringing over three to four other people, as well as equipment such as latex gloves and gasoline.
It was allegedly Lei’s idea to stuff Zeng’s body in garbage bags and also Lei’s supposed suggestions to either cut up the body or break Zeng’s legs. The final chilling suggestion that was partially carried out was to douse the body in gasoline to burn it.
On the other side of things are Andy Zeng’s family. The Zengs came to America when Andy was just 6 years old, to make a better life for their family. Since the death of their only child, they’ve reportedly been overwhelmed by what the shooting has done to their family both emotionally and financially.
Andy’s father, Zhi Xiang Zeng has become the family spokesperson, recently speaking Thursday on the tragedy. Initially, Zeng was resistant to questions about the shooting but eventually spoke briefly on the subject, and says he believed his son was shot intentionally.
Said Zeng, “The way he plotted out to destroy the (evidence) of my son’s death was premeditated – a friend would not treat my son like that. I hope justice will prevail.”
On Saturday morning, Zeng’s family and friends “gathered around the open casket at the service at Halsted N. Gray-Carew and English in the Tenderloin, where Buddhist prayer songs and remembrance speeches for the teen went on for two hours,” reports the Examiner. According to CBS5, the services were delayed when Zeng’s mother broke down at the sight of his casket, overcome by grief.
Zhi Xiang Zeng, a construction worker, has been unemployed for almost a year, and the family is struggling to find funds to fully pay for the service for their slain son. Organizer Marlene Tran has set up a fund to help the family in this difficult time.
Donations can be made to “Cathay Bank – Andy Zeng” account No. 41105834 or the Asian Pacific American Community Center at 2442 Bayshore Blvd.
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