Police arrested four people in connection to the murder of a woman who they say happened to be a witness to a murder.
Last Monday, Rosemary Fernandez-Rivera, 33, was shot at 7:41 p.m. inside Caribe Mini Market on 3300 North Mutter Street. She was found by police behind the counter suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
She was taken to Temple Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
After an intense manhunt, Philadelphia Police along with officers from the NYPD arrested Jorge Aldea, 23. Aldea’s girlfriend Eliana Vazquez, 19, was also taken into custody.
Jorge Aldea
Police say Aldea was the mastermind behind the “hit” that was issued on Fernandez-Rivera. They also say Vazquez helped plan the execution and was the driver of the getaway vehicle. Raymond Soto, 20, also helped plan the murder which was supposed to be staged as a robbery, according to investigators. Police also say Soto provided the weapon that was used to kill Fernandez-Rivera and was also in the getaway vehicle.
Eliana Vazquez
Finally, police say Shawn Poindexter, 17, was the masked gunman who pulled the trigger and fatally shot Fernandez-Rivera.
Shawn Poindexter
Police believe Fernandez-Rivera was killed because she witnessed Aldea murder Louis Chevere, 22, back on November 25 on the 100 block of W. Westmoreland Street.
Raymond Soto
Mayor Michael Nutter criticized the judge who lowered Aldea’s bail on an illegal gun charge that allowed him to get out of jail back on January 11. A warrant was issued for Aldea for the November murder that same night.
“This is someone who had shot people, hurt people and done other things,” said Nutter. “We now have you in our possession, in our custody, here on a gun charge and you should stay there, bottom line.”
Aldea is currently in New York awaiting extradition back to Philadelphia. He’s tentatively scheduled for this Friday.
All four suspects are charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, intimidation and other related offenses.
