NEED TO KNOW
- The accused killer of Uber driver Joseph Andrus allegedly told police he is linked to several other homicides
- The suspect, Sheliky Sanchez, previously told police he killed Andrus to relieve his stress, authorities allege
- Sanchez has not been charged in connection with the other alleged confessions
A New Mexico teen who police claim admitted to killing an Uber driver so he could “let off steam” has allegedly admitted to his involvement in three other killings, authorities said in court last week.
The suspect’s alleged confession came after he was arrested following the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Joseph Andrus on Aug. 7.
Sheliky Sanchez, 18, has been charged with murder in connection with Andrus’ killing, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office confirms to PEOPLE.
During his interview with police, Sanchez allegedly said he needed to “let off steam,” and decided to call an Uber so he could kill someone, per the DA’s office.
He allegedly told police he picked Andrus because he “seemed like a good guy,” the Albuquerque Journal previously reported.
Following the drive, during which the two reportedly had a positive conversation, Sanchez allegedly ordered the hardworking family man out of the car and shot him several times, the DA’s office said.
The DA’s office further confirmed to PEOPLE that during his police interviews, Sanchez allegedly admitted to killing three other people. This information was revealed in court last week during a pretrial detention hearing, when a judge ordered Sanchez to remain behind bars.
Sanchez allegedly said he killed those three other people when he was a juvenile, the DA’s office said. He has not been charged in connection to those alleged confessions, and police are now investigating.
Sanchez is also accused of pressing the barrel of a gun to his little brother’s forehead, later threatening the 7-year-old not to tell anyone about it, per authorities. He has now been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse and witness intimidation in connection with the May incident, the DA’s office said.
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Andrus, who would have turned 31 over the weekend, is being fondly remembered for his perseverance and love of family. He graduated from college this year, a long-time goal of his, according to his mother.
His friend Oli Rogers tells PEOPLE he celebrated Andrus’ birthday by “talk[ing] about [him] to anyone who would listen.” Rogers added: “I shared how loving he was, told silly stories of things we used to do.”
Teens accused of randomly killing Uber driver to remain in jail
Kathryn Thompson, Andrus’ childhood friend, tells PEOPLE in a statement that she celebrated Andrus’ birthday by watching his favorite movie with her family and children, and singing his favorite song in an impromptu karaoke celebration.
“He’s severely missed, and he’s a huge part of my heart and life,” Thompson said.
Sanchez has been charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and tampering with evidence in connection with Andrus’ killing, per authorities.
It wasn’t immediately clear if he has entered pleas; his attorney told the judge she believes the alleged confessions were an example of “grandstanding” by her client, and that he was likely taking the blame for someone else’s crime, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
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