- The suspect, Edwin Cruz Gomez, was in the U.S. illegally and had been previously deported.
- The incident began with alleged sexual harassment by the suspect towards the teen and her mother.
- The attack was intentional, with the suspect using his vehicle as a weapon.
- The suspect was intoxicated at the time, with a BAC nearly twice the legal limit.
- He faces severe criminal charges, including murder, and a potential life sentence.
The Queens community is coming together in grief over the loss of 16-year-old Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez, whose life was cut short in a horrific incident on September 13, 2025.
The man charged with her murder, Edwin Cruz Gomez, now faces severe criminal accusations. Here’s what we know so far from law enforcement and immigration officials.
Who is Edwin Cruz Gomez?
Edwin Cruz Gomez is a 38-year-old man from Uniondale, Long Island. As reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), he hails from Honduras and first entered the U.S. illegally near Nogales, Arizona, back in 2004.
An immigration judge ordered him to leave the country in 2005. Even after being picked up by ICE following a DUI arrest in Long Island in 2013 and being placed in an Alternatives to Detention Program, he disappeared and was not found again until his recent arrest.
The Tragic Death of Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez
On the early morning of September 13, 2025, around 4:10 a.m., a confrontation took place outside the Prima Donna Restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue in Elmhurst, Queens. Jhoanny was with her mother, stepfather, and her mother’s boyfriend when they encountered Cruz Gomez and several other men.
Tensions rose when Cruz Gomez allegedly started to harass Jhoanny and her mother, even offering money for sexual favors. A fight ensued after the teenager’s stepfather confronted him, although bystanders stepped in to break it up.
TRAGIC: 16-year-old Jhoanny Alvarez killed in Elmhurst, Queens on Sept 13, 2025—struck by 38-year-old Edwin Cruz Gomez who made sexual remarks to her & mom outside Prima Donna Restaurant on Roosevelt Ave. After stepdad’s confrontation & fight, drunk driver (BAC 0.137, suspended… pic.twitter.com/zu4X07O2kO
— Laszlo Varga (@LaszloRealtor) September 16, 2025
A Deliberate Attack with a Vehicle
After the altercation, Jhoanny and her family attempted to leave and crossed the street. Instead of driving away, prosecutors claim an intoxicated Cruz Gomez got behind the wheel of his 2009 Chevrolet Suburban, which was double-parked on Roosevelt Avenue.
He turned onto Benham Street and then drove up onto the sidewalk, intentionally aiming for the group. The vehicle struck Jhoanny, pinning her against a pole, and also hit her mother and stepfather. Cruz Gomez then fled on foot after backing into an empty van. Sadly, Jhoanny was pronounced dead at the scene.
Official Charges and Legal Consequences
Edwin Cruz Gomez was arraigned on September 15, 2025, facing several felony charges, including:
- Second-degree murder
- Three counts of second-degree attempted murder
- Second-degree vehicular manslaughter
- Assault and driving while intoxicated
If convicted of the top murder charge, he could face a lengthy prison sentence, potentially 25 years to life. A judge has scheduled his next court appearance for September 19, 2025.
ICE’s Involvement and Immigration Detainer
After his arrest, ICE filed an immigration detainer with the New York City Department of Corrections. This means local law enforcement has to inform ICE before Cruz Gomez is released, allowing the agency to initiate removal proceedings against him.
ICE has noted that previous arrests, including one in October 2024, did not result in his detention because he didn’t meet the federal immigration enforcement priorities at that time.
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Last Updated on September 22, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
