PIX11
By Nicole Johnson
May 21, 2020
The wife of an alleged killer called for help a few weeks before the attack that left her sister dead, police sources said Thursday.
Ubaldo Gomez allegedly followed his wife to her sister’s apartment and snapped, killing his sister-in-law to death once she opened her apartment door in Harlem, officials said. A 39-year-old man who lives inside the apartment tried to wrestle the gun away from Gomez; Gomez dropped the gun but pulled out a kitchen knife and attacked the man.
Police shot Gomez after he refused to put down the knife.
Scenes like what happened in Harlem are what domestic violence advocates fear, especially now. More victims are calling hotline numbers for help.
Since social distancing protocol began, people who are victims of domestic violence are more vulnerable and unsafe while isolated at home without being able to get away from their abuser, according to the NYPD. In April 2020, the number of calls to New York’s domestic violence hotline were up 30% statewide when compared to the same period last year.
New Yorkers who are seeking help can text 844-997-2121 or chat with a professional on the new confidential website at www.opdv.ny.gov. The text and online services will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with OPDV staff who are experts in the area of domestic violence.
Safe Horizon handles the hotline for the city. Maureen Curtis, vice president of Criminal Justice & Courts Programs said “We are seeing more victims call for help and we want them to know we are open and here 24/7.”