Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that a Queens County grand jury has indicted Rodolfo Montero, 25, who was arraigned on attempted murder in the first degree and other crimes for allegedly attacking the mother of his child and then firing multiple shots at police officers when they responded to her home this September in College Point, Queens.
District Attorney Katz said, “This defendant is accused of attacking the mother of his child and then attempting to murder the law enforcement officers who responded to protect them. Domestic violence is a real threat in far too many homes. The police officers who responded to this call for help literally put their lives at risk. Thankfully, none of the officers were injured. This defendant now faces very serious charges for his alleged actions.”
Montero, of College Point, is charged in a 17-count indictment with attempted murder in the first degree, attempted assault in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree, aggravated criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment in the first degree, assault in the third degree, menacing in the second degree, criminal obstruction of breathing or circulation, criminal mischief in the fourth degree, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment in the second degree. Montero was arraigned today before Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Zaro, who held the defendant without bail and set a return date for November 17, 2020.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to life in prison. According to the indictment, on the morning of September 13, 2020, the defendant argued with and allegedly choked a 28-year-old woman in their home on 125th Street. The defendant’s mother was also present at the home and tried to intervene as Montero allegedly cut off the woman’s oxygen. When his mother stepped in, the defendant is accused of slapping her in the face.
Montero continued arguing with the younger woman, in the presence of their 1-year-old child, and allegedly punched her in the face with his fist. DA Katz said the dispute continued and the defendant allegedly unwrapped a black firearm from a sock-like covering and threatened the victim’s life.
The woman fled with the defendant’s mother from the home. Police responded to a domestic violence report and arrived around 4:30 p.m. and saw flashes coming from a window along with the sound of gunfire. Police shielded themselves behind a vehicle and observed multiple bullets striking a nearby car. After a brief standoff, the defendant was taken into custody. Police executed a court-authorized search warrant and a loaded AK 47 assault rifle was recovered, allegedly from the defendant’s residence. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 CONTACT: PRESS OFFICE (718) 286-6315 QDACommunications@queensda.org
The investigation was conducted by Detectives Michael Galgano and Thomas Farley of the New York City Police Department 109th Detective Squad along with Police Officer Elias Dallis of the 109th Precinct, under the supervision of Sergeant Ling Ma. Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Shortt of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Shawn Clark, Bureau Chief, and Michael Whitney, Deputy Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders along with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Anais Holland-Rudd, of the District Attorney’s Felony Trial Bureau IV, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Karen H. Rankin, Bureau Chief, Robert J. Ferino and Barry S. Weinrib, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney of the Trial Division Pishoy Yacoub.