Last month, the Roosevelt Island Daily learned, gun violence took a life in Somers, New York. The victim was the 15-year-old grandson of Tram Operation and Maintenance Manager Armando Cordova. Cordova’s daughter and another grandson were shot but survived. Cordova himself came within inches of death.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The victims were not strangers to Roosevelt Island. A proud Tram manager for decades, Cordova often brought his grandkids in to show off the operation he loved. Historical Society president Judith Berdy recalls Cordova bringing them to the kiosk for a visit.
Gun Violence
Here’s what we learned from an article in Times Union.
On October 28th, Armando Cordova got a call from his 15-year-old grandson at his Yorktown Heights home. Her boyfriend, Fernando Jimenez, he said, was hurting his mother, Christina Raimondi.
Cordova with is wife, Miriam, rushed to his daughter’s apartment. It was ten minutes away.
“When they arrived,” according to the article, “the Cordovas’ calls to Christina and her boys went unanswered. They pounded on the door and heard loud breaking noises, followed by what sounded like gunshots, from inside the apartment.”
Then, Jimenez appeared at the door, pointing a gun at them. But instead of shooting, he ordered them out of the way, so he could escape.
A Bloody Scene
Armando and Miriam ran upstairs. There they found their daughter and grandsons splattered with blood, each shot in the head. Miriam vainly tried mouth to mouth resuscitation and CPR, hoping to save Michael. Armando called the police.
Christina later told the police that Jimenez had struck her in the face with the gun. She heard gunshots in the next room. Hurrying over, she huddled over her sons, Michael and Matthew, trying to protect them from more gunshots.
Jimenez Captured
The gun violence over, the police manhunt ensued. An astute, retired detective discovered an air-conditioner kicked out of the window at a real estate office. The office blinds, she also noticed, were drawn down in an unusual way.
When the cops entered, they found Jimenez hiding in the bathroom and took him into custody. New York State Police say he later admitted his crime during an interview.
Gun Violence and Illegal Immigration
An ICE spokesperson said the Jimenez is in the United States illegally. He is from Chile and was previously deported in 2004. He entered again illegally. The Department of Homeland Security has lodged an immigration detainer for him.
A GoFundMe page has been established by family friend Nicole Pagliaro to aid the family in overcoming this tragedy.
A Job With a Predictable Ending
The role looks stable from the outside. A President and CEO is appointed. A contract is approved. A salary is set.
