A College Point man has been charged with attempted murder after attacking the mother of his child and firing a gun at police officers over the weekend, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
On the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13, Rodolfo Montero and the mother of his child began to get in an argument in the woman’s 125th Street home, according to the charges. During the fight, Montero allegedly choked the 20-year-old woman, Katz said. Montero’s mother, who was in the apartment, intervened, attempting to stop Montero, when he slapped his mother across the face, the charges state.
Later in the afternoon, Montero and the woman got into another argument. The violence escalated and Montero allegedly punched the woman in the face as their 1-year-old child watched, Katz said.
Montero then took out a gun and threatened to kill the woman, according to the DA. The woman and Montero’s mother grabbed the child, ran out of the apartment and called the police, the charges said.
Police arrived to the apartment around 4:30 p.m., according to Katz. As they were getting out of their cars, police heard gun fire and saw flashes coming from inside the woman’s home, the NYPD said.
Police took cover as bullets struck a nearby vehicle, according to the charges. After a short standoff, Montero was taken into custody.
The NYPD later recovered a loaded AK 47 assault riffle from inside the home, according to the charges.
In addition to attempted murder, Montero was charged with attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, assault, menacing, criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. Queens Criminal Court Judge Eugene Guarino ordered Montero to be held without bail.
Montero will return to court on Sept. 18. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
