Fall River Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

A city official says a soldier from Fall River has been killed in Afghanistan.

Veterans Agent Manuel DaPonte says 21-year-old Army Spc. Scott Andrews was killed on Monday. He did not have any details of the death.

He is the second soldier from Fall River to die in Afghanistan in two months. Army National Guard Sgt. Robert Barrett was killed by a suicide bomber in April.

DaPonte accompanied a National Guard captain to the family’s home Monday night and was

there for an hour and a half, trying to bring comfort to the family.

“How do you explain losing a son in battle,” DaPonte said. “Both parents are distraught. They were crying. I confirmed with them that we are here as a city to mourn with them and to help them through this time that they’re going through right now, which is a very, very tough time.”

The family could not be immediately reached for comment.

DaPonte said even though he didn’t know Andrews personally, he was hit hard by the news.

“He is my solider,” DaPonte said. “The city is mourning.”

Andrews enlisted in February 2008 and was trained as a construction equipment operator and mechanic.

“From what I was told by the parents,” DaPonte said, “he was totally dedicated to the United States Army, loved what he was doing, and had no hesitation going to do what he was doing in the last few months that he was there.”

His grandmother told The Herald News that Andrews' stint in the Army was scheduled to end this year.

Andrews is survived by his parents, Alfred Andrews and Joanne Mello, and two older brothers, Matthew and David.

An exact date on when Andrews’ remains will return home has yet to be announced by the state.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the family.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.