In the early afternoon of a Saturday in Hempstead, New York, a young man's life was abruptly cut short. Jefferson J. Mancia-Fernandez, a 19-year-old male, was shot and killed on March 1, 2025, at the intersection of West Graham Avenue and Peninsula Boulevard. At the time of the incident, Mancia-Fernandez was reportedly helping his mother move into a new apartment.
The shooting was a targeted act, stemming from what authorities described as ongoing neighborhood tensions and friction between Mancia-Fernandez and the alleged shooter.
Responding to a 911 call about an unresponsive male, Hempstead Police officers arrived at the scene around 12:22 p.m. to find Mancia-Fernandez with apparent gunshot wounds. Officers administered medical aid until he was transported to a local hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The investigation into the homicide led police to an acquaintance of the victim.
Within two days of the shooting, on the morning of March 3, 2025, Nassau County police arrested 18-year-old Jeremias Ferrufino-Rodriguez of Hempstead. He was taken into custody at his home following the execution of multiple search warrants. Ferrufino-Rodriguez was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Authorities reported that Ferrufino-Rodriguez, who had no prior criminal record, allegedly drove up to Mancia-Fernandez, opened his car door, and shot him from the driver's seat.
Following the primary arrest, the investigation led to a second individual being taken into custody. On March 10, 2025, Brayan Pineda, a 20-year-old from Elmont, was arrested in connection with the case. Pineda was charged with hindering prosecution in the first degree. Jeremias Ferrufino-Rodriguez was arraigned on March 3, 2025, at the First District Court in Hempstead, where he pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.
