In a heartbreaking incident that shocked the quiet community of Ithaca, New York, tragedy struck on May 31, 1999, when Pato Gonzalez became the victim of a drive-by shooting that claimed her life. The incident unfolded on a crowded street corner, leaving a grieving father and shattered family behind. The Journal News reports on the aftermath of the incident, shedding light on the details surrounding the murder-suicide that unfolded in the late spring of 1999.
According to witnesses, the fateful incident occurred around 1 a.m. when about six gunshots rang out from a white minivan. The police investigation revealed that Pato Gonzalez’s father had intervened in a dispute, and the individuals involved may have sought revenge by returning to the same street corner with lethal intentions. The perpetrators, identified as brothers John and Mark Lopez (aged 28 and 17, respectively) and Jesus Pimental (aged 19), were subsequently charged with second-degree murder, intentional murder, murder with depraved indifference to human life, attempted murder, first-degree assault, and weapons offenses.
Ruben Turull, Pato’s grieving father, expressed the profound impact of the loss during the ceremony. After a choir performance, he quietly stated that the service served as a form of closure for him, saying, “It helps me.” In a poignant tribute to Pato Gonzalez, a mural was painted in her honor at the Wales Avenue intersection, immortalizing her memory in the community. The tragedy resonated beyond the immediate family, leaving a lasting impact on the neighborhood.
The news also reports on other instances of violence, such as a six-day crime spree in Queens, New York, where Lucien Salnave, a 19-year-old man from Kenner, Louisiana, faced charges including armed robbery, carjacking, and murder. The crime spree, which included the shooting death of Russian immigrant Yuri Khaimov, raised the specter of the death penalty for Salnave.
As the community of Ithaca grapples with the aftermath of the Pato Gonzalez murder-suicide, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violence on families and communities.
The tragic loss of a young life has left indelible scars on those left behind, prompting reflection on the broader societal issues surrounding such senseless acts.
At a memorial service held for Pato Gonzalez, family members grappled with the profound grief of losing a loved one to such a senseless act of violence. Lucy Turull, a relative, revealed that Iris’ mother was too distraught to attend the service. “Today, she’s bad,” Lucy Turull expressed. “Yesterday, Ruben was bad.” The mother, still grappling with the shock of the tragedy, spoke of her daughter in the present tense just days before, as if Pato were still alive. “Just two days ago, she was with me and my daughter, and she said, ‘Oh, my daughter loves Blue’s Clues,’” Lucy Turull recalled.
