UPDATE . . . UPDATE . . . UPDATE
Gary Flakes, who was convicted of being an accessory to the grisly shotgun slayings of Scott Hawrysiak and Andy Westbay on Valentine’s Day 1997, has ended years of silence about his role in the thrill-killings.
Flakes was 16 when he confessed in 1997 to driving up along the boys, who were walking home after an evening of video games at a friends’ house. Flakes stopped, letting Jeron Grant get out the car with a 12-gauge shotgun to kill the boys.
Flakes, now 31, commented after reading my Feb. 13 Side Streets column about the killings.
In an email to my Side Streets blog, Flakes wrote:
I accept the reactions for my actions. The families of Scott and Andy have more right to Justice than anyone.This is the constitution in which we have been created by the Creator. I pray that there is healing and forgivness.
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Following is the blog as originally posted Feb. 13, 2012:
LAST OF THREE MUSKETEERS IS LOYAL FOREVER
Scott Hawrysiak, William Fortune and Andy Westbay, on the bed, were known to their families as the Three Musketeers.
William Fortune doesn’t much look forward to Valentine’s Day.
He’ll tell his girlfriend he loves her and all. But Feb. 14 doesn’t represent love and romance to William.
To him, it’s a terribly sad day. It represents the end of the Three Musketeers.
Fifteen years ago, late on Valentine’s Day 1997, his buddies _ 13-year-old Andy Westbay and 15-year-old Scott Hawrysiak _ were gunned down as they walked home from playing video games with a friend.
William was supposed to be with them. They did everything together. Their folks even called them the Three Musketeers.
Andy Westbay and Scott Hawrysiak
All for one.
“They were my two best friends,” William said last week. “I can’t think about Valentine’s Day as a day of love. I associate it with the deaths of my two best friends.
“It’s a day of mourning.”
And a day to wonder what might have been.
William knows that if his mother hadn’t been too sick to take him that night, he’d have been walking with Andy and Scott when Jeron Grant 17, and Gary Flakes, 16, drove up to them on Canoe Creek Drive in Cheyenne Meadows.
Andy Westbay and Scott Hawrysiak were shotgunned to death near the mailboxes on the right as they walked home along Canoe Creek Drive late on Feb. 14, 1997.
According to Flakes’ confession to police, he was driving Grant to their homes on Fort Carson when they saw Andy and Scott.
Grant told Flakes he wanted to kill someone “to get something off my chest.” He grabbed a 12-gauge shotgun out of the backseat, got out, said a few words to the boys and opened fire.
The first blast hit Andy in the neck. Scott ran as the shotgun erupted two more times, hitting Scott in the back of the head.
The killers drove off leaving Andy and Scott to die.
The killings caused outrage in Colorado Springs. Candle-light vigils were held for the boys. And the funeral at the First Baptist Church in Security drew an estimated 600 people. Many followed to attend graveside services as well.
Here’s an excerpt from the Feb. 21, 1997, Gazette:
“Hundreds of people huddled close in a bitter, driving snow Thursday at Evergreen Cemetery to say goodbye to lifelong buddies Scott Paul Hawrysiak, 15, and Andrew Michael Westbay, 13, brutally slain last Friday night by three shotgun blasts.
Jerome Grant in a 1995 photo when he was a high school freshman in El Paso, Texas.
“Andy’s uncle, Michael Westbay, acted as a surrogate dad while Andy’s father did a recent year’s tour in Korea for the Army. He told mourners:
“It was only last week that I had the opportunity to hug both boys and tell them that I loved them. This week, next week or in the weeks to follow, I will not have that opportunity. This was not just a loss for two families. This was a loss for the entire community. I hope, as time heals, their love will not be forgotten. They touched many in life and many more lives in death. These boys will not be forgotten.”
But neither was convicted of first-degree murder. Jurors, instead, convicted them of the lesser charge of accessory to murder.
Grant was freed on parole in 2008. But a year later he was caught with crack cocaine and sent back to prison for six years.
Flakes went to a halfway house in 2010, was paroled in 2011 and is free now.
Gary Flakes, 16, from a 1997 Fountain-Fort Carson yearbook photo.
He volunteers for Colorado Juvenile Defenders Coalition’s effort to stop prosecution of juveniles as adults.
Flakes also testified before state lawmakers last spring about the evils of solitary confinement.
Such activity rankles William, now 29, a college graduate and personal trainer who twice went to Iraq as a civilian contractor.
The last Musketeer has never forgotten his pals.
“I think about them everyday,” said William, who has tattoos with Andy’s and Scott’s initials on his arms, each with a star.
“They are my nautical stars for guidance,” he said. “I go to their graves every time I come home.”
William Fortune, 29
He’s glad Grant is back in prison. And he’s angry Flakes seems to protray himself as a victim in some way of unfair treatment.
“They ruthlessly murdered two kids,” William said, still loyal to his friends. “They should never be free.”
One for all. Forever.
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William Fortune has the initials of Andy Westbay and Scott Hawrysiak tattooed on his arms and thinks about his friends every day.
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Jeron Grant is back in prison for a drug conviction after his parole in 2008.
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Gary Flakes volunteers for the Colorado Juvenile Defenders Coalition working to stop juveniles from being tried as adults and housed in adult prisons.
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Poor, poor Gary Flakes. Is this for real? Does he seriously think he should have any sympathy for his “devastating” sojourn in prison? That is disgusting. Whether sixteen or sixty, he and Grant ruthlessly and cruelly took the lives of two innocent boys…just because. Neither of them should have ever seen the light of day again. Why doesn’t his biography point out that he was charged with an adult crime because he murdered someone? Those of us who were here at the time know that his “lesser offense” was a result of legal wranglings and loopholes.
Oh no no no. The ending of this article should be right after the tattoos- in respect for Andy and Scott’s family, friends and loved ones, we really do not need to see their murders’ faces or sob story. I mean seriously. Andy was killed on MY BIRTHDAY. These two guys ruined so many lives…we don’t want to see them. They should both be in jail forever for MURDER. Nobody wants to see any of them smiling. Can Andy smile? How about Scott? Flakes and Grant stole that from us and Andy had the greatest smile! I would give anything to see that smile just one more time… But there Flakes is, smiling?
“Poor Gary…”
No, not “Poor Gary…” He participated in a MURDER…TWO MURDERS…there used to be but one punishment for murder…but we’re a “kinder, more gentle, more PC, thoughtful society…” And look how our murder rates skyrocket.
No, this “poor man” should still be in prison.
Thanks for the comments everyone. Andy was my cousin, and this has affected so many people in so many ways. While everyone is out celebrating v-day, it will never EVER be a day of happiness for many of us again. and for what? because grant wanted to “get something off his chest.” because he was mad at the world and decided to destroy the lives of two innocent boys and their family/friends. whatever gary endured in prison doesn’t even come close to what we’ve been going through for the past 14 years – not to mention what the boys had to go through that night.
i miss you so much! i’ll love you forever… and i’ll NEVER forget! <3 a.w. / s.h. <3
I accept the reactions for my actions.The families of Scott and Andy have more right to Justice than anyone.This is the constitution in which we have been created by the Creator.I pray that there is healing and forgivness.
What happened that day was horrific and unspeakable. It’s beyond comprehension. The anger and rage and disbelief at the light sentences handed down is still palpable. But right or wrong, it is what it is. And here we are today. And Gary is cleaned up, and staying out of prison, and working to help others avoid the same kind of god awful mistakes. Is that now what we untimately desire for all convicts upon release?
who pulled the trigger?
who obtained the shotgun?
I must say I take issue whenever anyone says something to the effect that “they made a mistake” or “he made a grave mistake”.
These are not mistakes, they are deliberate decisions made by people for whatever reason.
Evidently, some think by calling a heinous act a “mistake” it somehow either validates, or softens the intent.
I remember that day, I didnt know any of these kids, but I knew people who knew ALL of them. This was a tragic event, and even more compounded that both killers got off when they should have gotten the chair.
What happened to Gary and Jeron was a MISCARRAIGE of JUSTICE!
How do I know that Gary isnt going to go shotgun down more innocent kids? you know… to “just blow off steam” he did it before and practically got away with it. I have kids now, and i am afraid that he is out there.
He is a DANGER to society and belongs in a hole.
If he had any decency at all, he would be working with kids to stay out of trouble, and turn this tragic life into something good, not trying to promote less prison for people like him!
Zen, is Gary Flakes really working to help others “avoid the same kind of god awful mistakes”? It sounds to me like he is working at keeping juveniles who have committed horrific crimes from being charged as adults…so, unlike him, they can avoid the terrible ‘devastation” of adult prison. And what does “This is the constitution in which we have been created by the creator” mean? That makes absolutely no sense. Sorry….no sympathy here.
I appreciate the author’s willingness to share the story full circle, even if it hurts seeing what these two men look like. Having lost my own brother I can only imagine what the families feel like having lost their child, a brother, a cousin, or a friend to a murderer. I truly feel for them and I hope they are healing on their journey. Life has changed for everyone involved and seeing these two men with living their lives can certainly make anyone angry. I agree that these two men should still be in prison for the crime they committed. Gary could have drove away or tried to stop his partner from murdering those two innocent boys – but he didn’t. That was a choice he knowingly made. If you are old enough to do the crime, you are old enough to be tried and served as an adult. Instead of the devistating impact of adult prosecution – how about working with at-risk youth in PREVENTION.
We have to learn the Christian thing is to forgive on the cross did our Lord and savior not say forgive them they no not what they do. Think about that before you post your judgmental comments.When justice fails us here there will be atonement beyond what this world offers.
I think it’s important for us as a society to find better ways to approach juvenile crime and not automatically treat them as adults. We are constantly saying that children are incapable of making adult decisions, they can’t drink, they can’t enter into contracts, they shouldn’t be having sex, so we are saying as a society they are incapable of fully comprehending the consequences of their actions, but when crime is committed, we suddenly say they are responsible. Don’t get me wrong, this kid needed jail, and definitely more than two years, which means there’s something wrong with our system when the only solution is to treat them as adults and throw them in adult prison or give them two years for killing someone. I believe we need to find some middle ground when we’re dealing with juveniles to better meet the needs of our society, no just create better criminals out of our youngsters by throwing them in adult prison.
Well, Yasir jackson, not everyone believes in the imaginary sky gods.
I still can’t believe that our prosecutors office was so incompetent as to let these criminals escape justice. I hope that none of those alleged prosecutors are still pulling in a pay check…anywhere as attorneys. I’d be interested to hear of their status today.
Yasir,
That’s very easy for you to say.
You are not the one who lost their children as the result of poor judgement by these two young men.
They knew what would happen if they pulled that trigger.
I have no doubt they regret what they did. It’s hell sitting in those prison cells.
However, they chose to cross that line.
What they did is forever; and for that, they should pay forever.
Also, ” they no not what they do”?
I think they KNOW.
Anyone who could commit such a heinous crime at the age of 16 will be a danger to society for the rest of his life. He should NEVER walk free!
I feel no remorse for this man or his just as cruel and ugly friend!! I watched 2 families, and myself and countless friends suffer and cry over the loss of Andy and Scott!! All Gary and Jeron got was a slap on the wrist for what they did!! They should both be rotting in prison for the rest of their miserable lives!! Not charged as adults or charged correctly cause one would stand up and say they pulled the trigger is crap!! Charge them both!! Andy and Scott didn’t get a choice that night!! These 2 creeps decided to play God and take that choice away from them!! They will meet their ultimate judge some day, and I pray that they both rot in hell forever!!!
I don’t see much remorse in the eyes of Grant…
Seriously…”Grant was freed on parole in 2008. But a year later he was caught with crack cocaine and sent back to prison for six years.” Thats what it took to get six years!?! But a double murder, only a year and then freed on parole! The system is sad!!!!
Forgiveness comes when there is remorse. If none of them has ADMITTED to what they did that night. Nobody has admitted 100% that they pulled the triger. Forgiveness, is a daily battle as well.
Either way, Forgiveness: I am not there yet. Forgiveness comes with time but I am not sure if there is enough time in all the world.
@Martinez, Arnie and Rebecca…The work that I do is not solely for kids that are caught in the system.An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.When we pick up one end of a stick we also pick up the other end.We may control our actions but the consequences are out of our hands.The pain and anger that is directed towards me represents the other end of stick of which I have no control but of which I hope one day there will be reconcilition,healing and forgiveness.When I wrote,”This is the constitution in which we have been created by the Creator” the meaning is that its rightful for Andy and Scotts family to seek Justice and have the anger that they have.I continue to pay my debt by working with at risk which is the “pound of prevention” .I do this voluntarily to prevent something like my case from ever happening again.Some kids will slip through the cracks and so I also advocate for those that are caught in the system.I believe in a rigorous punishment along with redemption, restoration, healing and forgiveness.
Its a very sad thing that has happened. My deepest sympathy goes out to not only Scott and Andy families, but to everyone that has lost a loved one. Gary didnt pull the trigger. Yes he drove, but no one knows how Gary was feeling at that moment. If Gary didnt stop the car and continued driving, it could have been him. And what would you guys be saying then. No one really knows what was going through their minds, except them. Now the one that pulled the trigger should have still been in there. Not wait til he violated parole. I just seriously think Grant needs to seek help. Gary is doing something positive now, I just hope and pray it remains that way. But Gary, just know you dont have many people that support you right now, but dont let the negative of what people have to say get to you. Stay focused and positive. And for everyone else, make memories and live for the moment. We must forgive one another for all our wrong doings, doesnt mean we must forget. May God bless you all.
@Toya, thank you.That really meant a lot.I know that I there aren’t many who support me but I will continue to stay the course.Over time, a drop of water can change the shape of a rock.
@Gary flakes, thats very true. Just keep doing the right thing. Just like the world could change, I believe people can change aswell. I just hope God could put love in everyone’s heart to forgive. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Gary, have you really changed? Do you remember beating up those girls and getting expelled from high school? How about right after the killings you continued to go to PPCC and work at albertsons like nothing had happened. Greeting customers at the door with a smile on your face, just shortly after you helped murder 2 innocent boys. How chilling is that??? Surprisingly this has never made it to the main stream media. I only hope you never experience anything like those boys did. Jeron in my mind was definitely the killer, but Gary was certainly no angel. If you didn’t get caught, would you have ever turned yourself in? You knew for weeks what had happened, but want to use the excuse that you were a child and should have been sentenced like one? You knew what you did was wrong and made an “adult” decision not to say something. You were in community college at the time of the murders. How many “children” go there?
I’m the youngest sibling of Jeron Jontae Grant. All comments seem fair. I have a vague memory of my brother growing up due to the fact that my father didn’t play much of a role in his life. There are times when i sit back and wonder “what my dad had only done the mature thing and
really gary you belong in jail and should have got out in your 50s until that happens you got away with murder
Jaleel please email me @ bronxie0580@gmail.com
Really….Gary did you bring up The Creator in one of those responses….you mean the same Creator who is the only one that should decide when to call someone home…..funny, because you took that away from Scott and Andy….you made that decision….you helped MURDER two innocent children! Even worse is that their are people that you have fooled into believing that you have changed and are some sort if victim…..you are the farthest thing from a victim. You should be spending the rest of your life with nothing, and I’ll be damned if my hard earned money will go to pay your salary…that’s a joke, and so are you!
Gary, have any of the kids you work with gunned down other kids simply because they were bored, stupid little boys without an ounce of concern for anyone they may affect? You accept the reaction to your actions?! You accept that two boys are dead, that their families are tortured DAILY with the “what ifs” surrounding the lives those boys may have led? The families they would have had? The holidays, the achievements, the failures, the sufferings, the triumphs that these two boys had ripped from them by your hands? Do you think THEY accept the reactions to your actions?!
I do, in all sincerity, hope that you have turned your life around. But that is where I think this story should end. You HAVE your life to turn around. Andy and Scott don’t have anything but shattered families left in the wake of YOUR actions.
So he thinks he had it rough in prison? I work in there and you all be surprised how good they have it. They get treated better than any of most of our Seniors or our Vet’s. If you all only knew how your money get’s spent in the prisons but no one wants to know….and the Offender tell their family how bad their life is….all they loose is the right to go home. To where their Victims have nothing. Andy and Scott will never ever be able to enjoy or complain of anything.
looking for a way to get in touch with Gary Flakes
I do not believe any of you were eye witnesses to this crime, and should not place the gun in someones hand, just because someone is appearing to advance in life. Believe me we serve a God that sits high and looks down low and sees everything that happens under the sun. He knows what happened that night. My prayers goes out to the families of the young boys.