New Update: Accused Killer Of 15-Year-Old Boy From Region In US Illegally, ICE Says

A 40-year-old man who allegedly shot his girlfriend and her two children in Northern Westchester and then led authorities on a 12-hour manhunt is in the United States illegally and has had past encounters with Border Patrol, officials said.

Fernando Jimenez, age 40.
Photo Credit: *New York State Police*

Ben Crnic

11/01/2024 11:30 a.m.

Fernando Andres Jimenez Meza, who allegedly shot and killed 15-year-old Michael Raimondi and injured his mother and brother during an incident in the Baldwin Place section of Somers on Monday, Oct. 28, is an unlawfully present citizen of Chile, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson said on Friday, Nov. 1.

He entered the US on an unknown date.

Earlier Report - Name Released Of 15-Year-Old Killed In Somers Shooting That Led To Manhunt, Arrest

On the day of the incident at around 11:35 p.m., Jimenez shot the two children and their mother, 38-year-old Christina Raimondi, with an illegally-possessed handgun. Michael, a sophomore at Somers High School, was killed, while his brother, 13-year-old Matthew, was hospitalized along with his mother, according to New York State Police.

After the shooting, Jimenez fled into Putnam County, where he was finally caught at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the area of Peekskill Hollow Road in Putnam Valley, police said. The manhunt resulted in the closure of all schools in the Putnam Valley Central School District on Tuesday.

According to ICE, Jimenez had an encounter with the US Border Patrol at or near Tecate, California on Aug. 11, 2004. During this incident, he claimed to be Mexican citizen Erik Melendez-Arellano before being voluntarily returned to Mexico.

However, he unlawfully re-entered the US at some point after that, according to ICE.

The New York City Enforcement and Removal Operations office has since lodged an immigration detainer with Westchester County Jail in Valhalla as of Wednesday, Oct. 30, where Jimenez is now being held on the charges of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Jimenez was remanded to the Westchester County Jail without bail. His next scheduled court appearance is late Monday afternoon, Nov. 4.

A GoFundMe page created to help the Raimondi recover from the tragic shooting has raised over $142,000 as of Friday, Nov. 1. Those interested in contributing can do so by clicking here.

Earlier Report - Community Rallies To Support Family Of 15-Year-Old Killed In Somers Shooting

This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

Click here to follow Daily Voice New Paltz-Gardiner and receive free news updates.