Rest in Peace-Geraldine Krecmer
Salvatore Ciniglio, charged in the murder
By Dan Murphy
A second domestic violence murder in Northern Westchester has the Yorktown-Somers communities wondering why. On Nov. 9, Yorktown Police received a call of a shooting at the Coach n Four Apartments on East Main Street, Jefferson Valley. Residents heard gunshots at 930PM.
Upon arrival, Yorktown Police found 63-year-old Geraldine Krecmer dead from a gunshot wound. The shooter fled the scene before the police arrived. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the communities near the apartment complex, located near the DeCicco’s shopping plaza in Jefferson Valley.
Police were quickly able to identify the shooter as Salvatore Ciniglio, 51, with no address (homeless).
Ciniglio was involved in an estranged relationship with Krecmer’s daughter, and the two have a child.
Police departments across Westchester, and the NYPD, searched for the vehicle that Ciniglio was said to be driving.
Thanks to video surveillance on most major roadways, the vehicle was found in the Bronx, and just over two hours after the shooting, Ciniglio was pulled over by NYPD and shot himself as officers approached the car.
Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble said in a statement, “We need to thank all of our local, county, state, city, federal and district attorney law enforcement partners, who assisted us this evening. We thank the public for their patience, support, and understanding. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with the family of the victim of this violent crime.”
On Oct. 28, less than three miles away from the shooting at Coach n Four, Fernando Jiminez shot his estranged girlfriend, Chistina Raimondi, and her two sons, Michael, 15, and Matthew, 13. Michael Raimondi, a sophomore at Somers High School, died as a result of his injuries.
Another police search ensued until Jiminez was found hiding in Putnam Valley one day after the shooting. He is charged with second-degree murder and two charges of attempted murder.
The obituary for Geraldine Krecmer reads
Geraldine “Geri” Krecmer of Jefferson Valley, NY passed away unexpectedly on November 9, 2024. Born on August 26, 1961, in the Bronx, NY to Patrick and Rose (Stirpe) Monaghan, Geri’s infectious smile and boundless energy brought light into the lives of all who knew her.
Geri’s life was a testament to her unwavering dedication to her family and her work. She was a Senior Coordinator for Cablevision, now known as Altice. However, Geri’s professional achievements paled in comparison to the love and care she poured into her family.
Geri had an enduring love for the beach, trips to Cape May and the Jersey Shore held a special place in her heart. It was there that she found solace in the rhythm of the waves and the warmth of the sun. Her love for the shore was a reflection of her spirit—free, joyful, and full of wonder.
Those who knew Geri would describe her as thoughtful and loving, words that only begin to capture her character. She had a gift for making others feel seen and heard, and her presence was a source of comfort and strength.
Geri is survived by her sons Thomas “TJ” Wilkinson, Dylan Wilkinson, Anthony Sales, and her daughter Jessica Sales. She is also survived by her brother, Patrick Monaghan, and her joy multiplied with the arrival of her grandchildren Gianna, Angelina, and Valentina. She embraced her role as a grandmother with the same passion and enthusiasm she brought to every aspect of her life.
Geri’s journey through life was a beautiful illustration of what it means to care deeply for others. She will be profoundly missed, but the impact of her love will continue to resonate.
Visiting will be held on Thursday, November 14th from 4-8 PM at Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 15th at 10 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac. A private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in her name to the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, www.pnwwrc.org.
State Senator Pete Harckham and Assembly member Amy Paulin have announced that they are reintroducing their legislation that requires police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family or domestic violence. Right now, police officers under the Safe Homes Act of 2020 merely have the option of removing firearms that are in plain sight or are discovered during a consensual or lawful search.
“Too many domestic violence incidents involve shootings that could be avoided if handguns and other firearms were temporarily removed from the possession of accused defendants pending court action,” said Harckham. “This common-sense legislation is meant to protect residents at risk of further violence, and will save lives while safety plans can be put in place for the abused partner and children. And if illegal firearms are discovered during such required removals, that will only help keep our communities safer in the long run.”
“Domestic violence and gun violence are deeply connected, as was tragically evidenced by the shooting this past weekend in Westchester County. This legislation, which I sponsored with State Senator Harckham, is a common-sense step to protect victims of domestic violence from the same fate,” said Paulin.
Harckham and Paulin’s legislation (S.2012 / A.2413) was introduced initially in January 2023. Advancement of the legislation earlier this year was put on pause while the United States Supreme Court decided on a case (United States v. Rahimi) objecting to a federal law that bars anyone subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a gun. Although the court ruled on June 21, 2024, that the federal law did not violate the Constitution’s Second Amendment, the New York State Legislature’s annual session had been adjourned already. The ruling, though, made it likely that the two lawmakers’ legislation would not be challenged in court.
The legislation simply requires that the law enforcement officers responding to a report of family or domestic violence his legislation seeks to provide further protections to victims by mandating police officers seize firearms in plain sight during a domestic violence call. This includes firearms that individuals may have a license to carry and which they are in possession of when arrested on the suspicion of such family or domestic violence offense.
Additionally, this bill calls for the return of such firearms and carry licenses within one hundred and twenty hours (or five days) after removal from individuals upon arrest during family or domestic violence incidents. effecting such seizures. Such legislation is necessary to ensure that firearms do not return to dangerous hands before the courts have had sufficient time to file any necessary charges to protect victims.
The announcement that this legislation will be reintroduced at the start of the next legislative session comes just days after a Yorktown woman was shot to death during a domestic violence incident on Saturday, Nov. 9. A child was killed and two people critically wounded during another domestic violence shooting in Somers on Oct. 30. Also, a retired police officer shot and killed his wife, a fifth-grade teacher in the Eastchester public schools, on Oct. 16 in their Yonkers home before turning the gun on himself
