RIDGE, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island man was indicted Wednesday for murder in the fatal shooting of his former girlfriend earlier this month over money owed.
James Quininchetta, 40, is facing murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges.
According to the investigation, at around 12:30 a.m. on June 6, Quininchetta allegedly traveled by rideshare service to the residence of Rebecca Roth, 33, located in the Heatherwood Apartment Complex in Moriches to try to collect money she allegedly owed him.
When Roth refused to pay him back, Quininchetta allegedly fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun at her seven times while she was inside her parked vehicle and fled the scene, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.
A forensic examination later revealed that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her torso. After the shooting, Quininchetta allegedly discarded the weapon and ammunition before returning to his residence via rideshare service.
Responding officers recovered the alleged murder weapon, which was found abandoned near a pickup truck in an adjacent parking lot. The department’s K-9 unit also located a gray fanny pack containing ammunition in a wooded area near the complex exit.
Ammunition packaging and spent shell casings were also recovered.
Just after midnight on June 7, Quininchetta surrendered himself at the Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct in Shirley.
"What was, at most, a minor financial dispute escalated to a senseless act of violence,” D.A. Tierney said. "Our office will seek justice for Rebecca Roth and her family."
Quininchetta is due back in court on July 30 and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted.