A no-show killer
Susp in EMT tragedy ducks court
THE ACCUSED murderer of a Bronx EMT stayed in his jail cell Wednesday, dodging a courtroom packed with the victim’s angry and grief-stricken co-workers.
Defendant Jose Gonzalez skipped out on his slated court appearance, where scores of FDNY first responders turned out in support of Yadira Arroyo, 44, a mother of five.
“She was an amazing woman,” said Paramedic Anthony Sanchez. “I’m gonna miss her a lot.”
Some sported T-shirts with a photo of Arroyo on the front, while others (photo) carried signs reading “Justice for Our Hero.” EMS union head Israel Miranda promised a similar show of strength for every hearing.
“We will be pursuing justice, and we will not accept anything but justice,” he vowed.
Gonzalez, 25, also passed on testifying before the grand jury investigating the killing of Arroyo. The suspect was charged with murder in the March 16 killing when he tried to steal Arroyo’s ambulance — and instead ran her down, cops said.
The arrest added to a rap sheet that included 31 prior busts on a variety of charges for the schizophrenic suspect.
The Daily News fund to assist the heroic EMT’s five surviving sons has now raised $62,000 as of Tuesday, including $10,000 donated by the paper.
Paramedic Chaz Perry, who worked with Arroyo in Bronx EMS Station 26, said he finds himself missing his colleague’s laugh.
“That laugh was infectious. It would make your day,” he said, adding the mood at work has been “somber” since Arroyo’s on-the-job killing.
“We’ve always been a tightknit group at 26,” he continued. “Very tight, but now, it's even tighter.”
Co-worker Jessy Garcia said the FDNY family — and particularly her fellow EMTs — are struggling with the murder despite dealing with life-and-death situations daily. “You know, we lost our sister, so it’s particularly tough,” said Garcia. “She had the biggest heart in the world. She cared about everybody.”
Defense attorney Alice Fontier said her client’s poor mental and physical health led him to avoid the courtroom. To donate, send payments electronically to Daily News Charities, account number 9387575-837, routing number 021-000-322. The charity also has a PayPal account at nydn. us/ArroyoFund. Checks can be made payable to Daily News Charities Inc. and mailed to: