By Sarina Trangle
A 30-year-old man was arrested on charges of attempting to murder his 22-year-old girlfriend after he allegedly told investigators initially that three masked robbers invaded his Kew Gardens apartment and shot her, authorities said.
Steven Diaz, who lives with girlfriend on 127th Street near Kew Gardens Road, faces charges of attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence, the NYPD said.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said the shooting has left the victim, Amanda Rivera, with brain damage.
“The young victim is presently hospitalized in critical [condition]. However, if her condition changes and she does not survive, the charges will be upgraded,” Brown said in a statement.
Authorities believe Diaz fired a shot at Rivera’s head with a 9 mm handgun between 4:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
He then allegedly dropped the weapon in the sewer and drove Rivera to Jamaica Hospital, the DA said. Diaz then allegedly told police that his girlfriend had been shot in the head during a home invasion, authorities said.
Police recovered 10 pounds of what they believe to be marijuana while arresting Diaz inside his third-floor apartment, according to the DA.
The couple had no prior record of domestic violence, according to the NYPD.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
