Working closely with the police and harnessing the power of the media and social networking sites such as Facebook, the Antoniello family is preparing for the October 24 “Justice for Jerry” vigil in an effort to keep his memory alive – and catch his killers.
“We’re just trying to get everything together for this,” said brother Angelo. “If they catch them [the suspects] tonight, we’ll be very happy.”
Gerardo “Jerry” Antoniello, 29, was killed on Wednesday night, September 9 trying to protect his family during a push-in robbery at their home on 95th Street and North Conduit Avenue in Ozone Park.
Reportedly, a woman working with the two male suspects had attempted to gain entry into the home by asking for directions, but Gerardo and his mother, Gaetana, 58, refused to open the door.
When Romeo Antoniello arrived at the home, the two masked men tried to rob him of the cash he had allegedly been carrying after closing the family’s pizzeria, Romeo’s on Cross Bay Boulevard, for the night.
After hitting the older, ailing man in the head, the perpetrators then proceeded to push their way into the residence, cops said, where Gerardo, who had just celebrated a birthday in late August, tried to defend his home and family. One round was fired, hitting Gerardo in the head. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition, where he died early Thursday morning, September 10.
The grieving family appeared on the Channel 11 news on Monday evening, October 12.
“[It’s a way to] get the message out there,” Angelo told The Courier. “I got phone calls from people I worked with 20 years ago [following the broadcast].”
As reported, the family is working to up the reward money offered for the capture of the suspects, described by police as two male blacks; the first is described as tall with a thin build; the second is described as short with a stocky build.
Gerardo’s other brother Carmine, a member of the NYPD in Queens, said that his partner has spearheaded fundraising efforts.
“I want to get them off the streets before they do it to someone else,” said Carmine, who told The Courier that he hopes to have a $20,000 reward.
“The city has $12,000 through Crime Stoppers and the mayor’s office,” he said. “My co-workers have raised about $4,000 [as of early October]. I will make up the difference. It’s the least I can do.”
Angelo said that the family is hoping to announce a reward amount the evening of October 24.
“We’re trying to get the reward to a decent number,” he said. “And we’re hoping we’ll get a big turnout at the vigil. Hopefully they’ll catch these guys.”
The “Justice for Jerry” vigil will be held on Saturday, October 24 at 8 p.m. in front of Romeo’s Pizzeria, 134-24 Cross Bay Boulevard in Ozone Park. All are welcome to attend.
If you have any information about the case, or as to the identity or whereabouts of the suspects, call the 106th Precinct Detective Squad at 718-845-2260.
If you would like to contribute to the reward money offered, send checks to The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361.
