Friends Of Murdered Rego Park Man Mourn

Jorge Rosario, 24, thinks a lesson came out of the death of his lifetime friend, classmate and neighbor, and he wants to help teach it before the memories wash away.
"Guns and violence definitely do not mix," the Rego Park man said.
Rosario stood in the rain Monday afternoon, guarding a temporary memorial covered in plastic sheeting at 98-51 63rd Road. It was there that his friend, Andrew Joseph Giummo, 22, was shot in the chest on Saturday by suspect Norris Anderson, 17. Later that day, Anderson was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. But facts seemed to provide little solace as the spot where Giummo fell remained awash in baseball hats, burning candles and handwritten notes that were lovingly arranged by Giummos friends, who milled about asking each other what really happened.
Police reports related how suspect Anderson shot Giummo in the chest at 6:04 p.m. Saturday at 98-51 63rd Road. Police then found Anderson at the 63rd Road and Queens Boulevard subway station, standing on the platform for the northbound E train. Officers chased Anderson, who ran behind 63-89 Saunders Street. As police approached, they heard a gunshot and discovered Anderson shot in the head and a .22-caliber revolver nearby. Police sources said that Giummo may have been shot over a $125 loan.
Whatever police reports said, there was no reason for Giummo to die, said his friend, Billy Rocco.
Rocco, 25, who lived with Giummo in Park City Estates, wants to arrange an assembly at a local elementary school. Helping children learn the dangers of gun violence may be an appropriate tribute to Giummo, who Rocco said died trying to help a local youth. Rocco said Giummo made the $125 loan to Anderson despite Roccos warnings not to trust Anderson.
David Valovage, community affairs officer with the 112th Precinct that investigated the shooting, said he thinks Giummos friends have a great idea that he would like to help implement.
"It would be an excellent program," Valovage said.
Giummo is survived by members of the Giummo and Elder families, his siblings, Anthony, Dana, Joseph, Michael and Karen and his "cherished love," Taina Alves. Services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Francis of Assisi in Astoria. Arrangements are being handled by Joseph Farenga and Sons Funeral Home, 38-08 Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria.