A Long Island man is accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend to death after a dispute over a financial debt, officials said Wednesday.
James Quininchetta, 40, of Ridge, was indicted for murder and related charges for allegedly shooting and killing Rebecca Roth, 33, outside her apartment complex in Moriches earlier this month, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in a news release.
The shocking incident stemmed from an argument over a “minor financial dispute” that quickly escalated to a “senseless act of violence,” Tierney said.
According to investigators, Quininchetta arrived at Roth’s residence via rideshare service shortly after midnight on June 6 in an attempt to collect money he said the victim owed him.
When he approached the victim, she allegedly refused to pay him back. He then fired a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun at her seven times while she was inside her parked vehicle, prosecutors alleged.
Quininchetta discarded the weapon and ammunition and returned home via rideshare service, according to the district attorney’s office.
Suffolk County Police officers responded to the scene and recovered the alleged murder weapon near a pickup truck in a nearby parking lot.
A K-9 unit later found a fanny pack filled with ammunition in a wooded area close to the complex, officials said. Investigators also recovered spent shell casings from the scene.
A forensic examination revealed that Roth sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her torso.
Quininchetta surrendered to authorities about 24 hours later and was formally arrested
On Wednesday, he was arraigned on murder and weapon charges. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
He is due back in court on July 30 and faces 40 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count, officials said.
