
























By Dan Gesslein
A teen gunman was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison for the stray bullet shooting of an 11-year-old girl - a murder that shocked a city.
Triggerman Matthew Godwin, 18, was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison as part of a plea agreement. Godwin admitted to opening fire on a busy Bronx street in May 2022. One of the bullets struck and killed 11-year-old Kyhara Tay who was waiting for her friends outside a Bronx nail salon.
“Kyhara never had the chance to grow up. She was an innocent 11-year-old girl
who was killed when the defendant, 15 years old at the time, started shooting at a 13-year-old boy,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “(Kyhara’s) death is a profound tragedy, especially considering the ages of everyone involved. Today’s sentence is the culmination of justice, but this is not the final chapter of Kyhara’s life story. Her family turned their pain into purpose by speaking
Eleven-year-old Kyhara Tay was killed by a stray bullet when a gunman opened fire on a crowded street from the back of a moving moped. Her killer was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison.
out against gun violence. Through their voice, Kyhara’s legacy will live on.”
An investigation by police revealed that Tay was gunned down during an attempted gang shooting from the back of a moving moped.
At 4:48 pm on May 16, 2022, Tay was outside a nail salon on Westchester Avenue in the Longwood section. Omar Bojang, 21, who also pled guilty, was driving a motorized moped with Godwin on the back
looking for a rival gang member. The pair spotted the 13-year-old target and Bojang drove the moped onto the sidewalk. Godwin turned from the back of the moped and fired off two shots.
One of the bullets struck Tay in the stomach as she waited in front of the nail salon at Westchester Avenue and Fox Street. Tay would later die at an area hospital.
During sentencing, Tay’s mother Yanisha Gomez, ad-
dressed Godwin.
“This nightmare I do not wish upon anyone,” she said. “A mother should never feel this pain. An innocent child should never be taken away from a mother like this. I want to ask y’all, ‘Do you feel any remorse, regret, shame, guilt?”
Bojang pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on March 6, 2025, and will be sentenced to 15 years in prison and 5 years post-release supervision on May 14, 2025.
By David Greene
The NYPD is looking for at least four individuals wanted in connection with a carjacking that left a man with critical injuries in Pelham Bay.
Providing few details, an NYPD source told the Bronx Voice that the incident took place at just before 12 noon on April 24. The police official stated, “A 32-year-old male victim left his vehicle unattended. (An) unknown suspect got into his car and tried to flee.”
The police source continued, “The victim held onto
the mirror in an attempt to prevent the theft. The vehicle fled the location and collided with a parked vehicle causing injuries to the victim. The victim was transported to Jacobi Hospital in critical condition. There are no arrests at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.”
Multiple media outlets
are reporting the unidentified victim left his 2017 Infinity running while he entered a local restaurant. Several media outlets have also reported that the victim suffered a severed leg that doctors could not save. He remains in critical condition at Jacobi Hospital.
News 12 reported that the stolen vehicle, a black Infi nity, was later found abandoned on the Hutchinson River Parkway at the Pelham Parkway exit.
A video posted to Facebook by “Primera Linea” shows the stolen vehicle traveling at a high rate of
speed across Wilkinson Avenue, when the vehicle strikes a parked vehicle, and the victim falls from the car. Unconfi rmed reports have stated that the second vehicle that was following the stolen vehicle—also struck the victim.
In published reports, witnesses described the initial carjacker as a male wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and green shorts.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS, all calls remain confidential.
By Constance Washington, RN, Care Coordinator VNS Health Health Plans
Many people might think that for nurses the workplace would be a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. But for the 180,000+ New York home care nurses who provide care to people at home, the “workplace” could be a basement apartment, a 30-floor high-rise, a house with a 2-car garage, a park bench, or just about anywhere someone actually lives. In my 19 years as a Home Care Nurse and Care Coordinator with VNS Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations, I’ve pretty much seen it all. And one thing I know—home is where people want to be if they can when they’re recovering from surgery, illness or other health conditions.
This special group of frontline heroes is the “beating heart” of community health. Wherever help is needed—that’s where we go. Home care nurses get a true snapshot of the factors that can impact a patient’s health, from what food they eat to how they get around, and whether they have support at home to help them stay healthy. What I love about this job is knowing I’m making a difference in someone’s life. As a nurse, we often take these things for granted, because for us, it’s simply part of a day’s work!
In May, we celebrate National Nurses Month. It’s a great time to say “Thanks” to any of these hard-work-
ing clinical experts—wherever you encounter them.
I’d like to share a little more about life as a nurse, through these insights from three of my fellow home care nurses at VNS Health working in across the city, Health Detectives on the Case
Home Care Nurses often find themselves playing the role of “detective.”
Home Care Nurse Chona Odchigue was helping an elderly man who had just been discharged from the hospital when she observed him wincing and grimacing. When Chona asked him if he was having chest pain, he said “yes,” but assured her he was alright. However, Chona could tell something
more serious might be happening.
“It’s not only what the patient is saying,” notes Chona, “You have to observe everything.”
She knew her patient needed to go to the hospital, and the decision turned out to be lifesaving. At the hospital, the patient was assessed, and the doctors found he was having a heart attack. Thanks to Chona’s quick thinking, she likely saved her patient’s life. As she says modestly, “I’m just thankful that I could be there at the right time, at the right moment to act.”
Always There, Every Step of the Way
Andrea Morris-Arzu, a nurse for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC), knows the many patients she serves well. Coming into her regular “office” in the apartment building, her patients look to her as a “neighbor” just as much as a nurse. It’s what she loves about the job—building trust and getting to really know her patients.
NORC communities are designed to provide care and support to older adults, many of whom are extremely isolated, with family far away or gone. One time, a 92-year-old woman told
Andrea she wasn’t sure she was taking her blood pressure medication correctly. “When I started asking her more and looking more closely, I quickly found out she was completely out of her medication and needed a refill urgently. So, I helped set up an appointment with her doctor and find an affordable transportation option.”
However, even with the appointment planned, Andrea knew they weren’t out of the woods yet and took the woman’s blood pressure. The numbers were alarming, and Andrea went into action. The woman was scared to leave her home, so Andrea asked, “What can I do to make you feel comfortable to go out and get help?” She helped her pack an overnight bag, even putting the dishes away so the patient wouldn’t worry, and they called EMS together. The EMS agreed the signs were concerning and took her to the hospital. Since then, Andrea has continued to follow up with her patient, helping ensure she takes her medication correctly and letting her know she’s not alone in her health care journey.
Listening with Heart Nurse Matthew Louie is newer to the field of home
care but has already found that listening is a big part of his job. While he might initially come in to care for a wound or help someone recovering from a fall, he’s always mindful of his patient’s mental well-being as well. “I love learning about people and hearing their stories. You can learn so much about people in their homes that you never get to see in a hospital setting.”
One patient of his was going through a new diagnosis with a lot of understandable anxiety. “We talk about everything—philosophy, relationships—and her anxiety has lessened,” said Matthew. “I heard her say, ‘I’m lucky to have Matt as my nurse. I feel like I’ve gotten a nurse and a therapist.’”
Home care nurses truly embody the spirit of nursing itself—committed to providing compassion and support, while also helping patients make informed decisions about their health. Their empathy and dedication are a critical reminder of what “care” really comes down to.
To learn more about home care nursing, visit vnshealth.org
This article originally appeared in NewYorkPresbyterian Health Matters
By Camille Bautista-Fryer
After a 40-plus year career as a nurse, Theresa Bullicer looked forward to retiring, with plans to travel and spend time with her children and grandchildren. But just weeks before her planned retirement, she got some bad news. At age 62, Theresa, was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and her kidneys were failing. Instead of seeing the world, she started dialysis, and soon after, doctors placed her on the national transplant waiting list.
Jo Marie Palazzo, her daughter and a nurse practitioner at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, was devastated. She wanted to help her mom, especially since she had sacrificed so much for their family. So without hesitation, Jo Marie underwent testing to see if she could be a potential living kidney donor. She was a match, and nine months later, she donated a kidney to her mother at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornel Medical Center.
“She’s always supported me in everything I wanted to do in life,” Jo Marie says. “I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to be a blessing to the woman who provided for me.”
From Caregiver to Patient Theresa emigrated alone from the Philippines in
By Punita Ponda, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, Chief, Division of Allergy & Immunology, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month and as most of us see around us, childhood food allergies are increasing. Most people know of, or have friends and family members, who have food allergies. Food allergies are very difficult for all the family members of a child with that diagnosis. Everything from grocery shopping to going out to eat, or visiting someone, becomes stressful.
A diagnosis of food allergies should be made with the guidance of your doctor, after they discuss your child’s history and perform a physical exam. This can involve doing skin testing or blood testing to check for the allergy after a child has a reaction upon eating the food. A typical allergic reaction to a food may look like hives, redness of the skin, itchiness, lip swelling, vomiting or in severe cases, breathing problems and coughing within minutes of eating a specific food. Severe food allergies can also be life threatening. The child is usually uncomfort-
lowed by recommendations on how to manage the food allergy. Sometimes, the test results are unclear, or if it is suspected that a food allergy may be outgrown, the doctors offer to do an oral food challenge in the office. This is a process where the child is given a food to eat in very small doses initially and then an increased dose followed by an observation period. This is the gold standard to determine if the child truly has a food allergy.
Once a food allergy is diagnosed, what next?
Until recently, the only thing the doctors could do for a child with food allergies was to ask them to avoid that trigger food and carry emergency medications, such as Benadryl and an auto-injectable Epinephrine (epi-pen) device at all times. However, in the last decade, there have been other therapies that have been approved to possibly help teach the child’s immune system to become tolerant to having small amounts of the allergic food. This is called oral desensitization and is a process that is done under the supervision of an allergist after full discussion of the pluses and minuses of this approach. There is an FDA approved product that is available now for desensitization for peanut allergy in children who are age 1 year or older where the goal is to enable a child to tolerate incidentally consuming small amounts of peanuts that may have
contaminated the food due to the manufacturing or cooking process. So, although the child continues to avoid peanut, going to a restaurant and accidentally eating a bite of something with cross contaminated peanut will likely not cause a reaction, giving peace of mind.
However, the first step in any treatment plan is an accurate diagnosis and management plan, followed by a discussion with your doctor about the available options for your child. The Allergy and Immunology Division at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM) has special expertise in handling children with food allergies and provides a full array of diagnostic and treatment options for their patients including comprehensive services integrated with other specialists at the children’s hospital, depending on the individual needs of the child.
Food allergies can have a major impact on the child and their families. The Division of Allergy and Immunology is ready and able to take care of the community’s needs in a welcoming environment with a knowledgeable, and comprehensive approach, including cutting-edge treatment options. Please contact us at the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, (347) 498-2410 if your child needs to see our expert Allergist/Immunologists.
1983, establishing a life in the United States so her husband and children could soon join her.
“My mom worked multiple jobs to pay for our education and for her siblings to go through nursing school,” Jo Marie says. “She was always such a hard worker and an inspiration.”
As a critical care nurse, Theresa worked on front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.
“My kids asked if I was going to retire during the pandemic for my safety, and I said, ‘No, I have to be there for my patients. They need me,’” she says.
After caring for ICU patients through the peak of COVID-19, she planned to retire in November 2022.
But just one month shy of her goal, her health took a turn.
For two decades, she had dealt with diabetes and high blood pressure, and those conditions had contributed to chronic kidney disease in October 2022, when doctors discovered she was in kidney failure. “It was devastating,” Theresa says. “I had to undergo emergency dialysis, which turned into in-center dialysis three times a week.”
“When she got sick, it crushed me to think of her losing her joy,” Jo Marie says. “My mom, my hero,
wasn’t going to be able to live like she planned and like we hoped for.”
Daughter’s Devotion
Shortly after dialysis treatment began, Theresa’s care team at her local hospital began discussing the need for a kidney transplant.
“I was told I could be waiting for a kidney for up to five to ten years or longer, unless I could find a living donor,” Theresa says.
Jo Marie, then 42, couldn’t bear the thought of waiting, and immediately stepped up.
“Once she received a list of medical centers to consider for transplant, I told her I didn’t even need to look. ‘We’re going to NewYork-Presbyterian.’ I wouldn’t trust our care with any other hospital,” Jo Marie says.
The kidney transplant team at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center—ranging from nephrologists and dieticians to social workers and surgeons— met with mother and daughter for transplant evaluation and testing.
“As a nurse, I knew I was in good hands,” Theresa says.
The Gift of a Lifetime
After nine months on dialysis, Theresa scheduled her
living donor kidney transplant with Jo Marie.
Just days before the July surgery, Jo Marie’s colleagues in the pediatric emergency department planned a surprise celebration in honor of her donation, complete with a kidney-shaped cake and cookies.
“From the support of my coworkers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia to the great team at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, I had such a wonderful experience,” says Jo Marie, who has been a nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian for more than 20 years. “And to know I was giving my mom the gift of life is one of the most rewarding feelings anyone can have.”
On July 27, 2023, There-
sa underwent a successful kidney transplant surgery led by Dr. Dustin Carpenter, transplant surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center, and Jo Marie underwent donor surgery led by transplant surgeon Dr. Kofi Atiemo.
“The kidney worked immediately,” Dr. Carpenter says. “It’s amazing to watch the organ come back to life, and that her daughter was able to do that for her. It’s a powerful thing.”
Theresa was able to leave the hospital after just four days.
“Part of the benefit of being at a high-volume transplant center is that we are leaders in experience and able to provide high-quality care for our patients,” Dr. Carpenter says.
“Knowing the hospital’s reputation gave me a lot of ease and peace,” Theresa says.
Journeys to Come
Following their recovery, the family celebrated Theresa’s official retirement with a trip to the Philippines.
“It was a celebration of our transplant journey, our health, and more importantly, of my mom,” Jo Marie says. “I definitely feel a closer bond to her since the surgery, and it’s so wonderful to see her better.”
Now, Theresa looks forward to traveling the world alongside her family, with a trip to Austria on the horizon.
“Thanks to my daughter, life is good again,” Theresa says. “I’m just so thankful.”
By Mayor Eric Adams
The Dominican community in New York City is the largest anywhere in the world outside of the Dominican Republic — we are their home away from home.
Dominican New Yorkers contribute to every facet of life across the fi ve boroughs, whether it’s running our small businesses in the Bronx or playing in our sports stadiums in Manhattan and Queens. Dominicans are not just our neighbors and our friends. They are our family.
So, when our family suffers a tragedy, it is our responsibility to be there for our brothers and sisters in their sorrow and in their grief. Two weeks ago, when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed, at least 231 members of our Dominican family lost their lives, and more than 150 more were injured in the accident. Last week, in a sign of solidarity, I mourned with their families in Santo Domingo not merely as the mayor of New York City, but as a brother who felt their pain.
The night of the roof collapse was a painful moment for so many within our city, and I knew I could not just show my support
from a distance. I was honored to meet with the first responders who risked their lives and rushed to the rescue. I visited the site of the Jet Set nightclub and left a wreath as a symbol of my love for the people of the Dominican Republic. And I spoke with the families and community members who were impacted, including the loved ones of a retired NYPD detective who died, because their loss is our loss too.
I also met with leaders of the Dominican Republic — its president, Luis Abinader, and the minister of public works and communications, Eduardo Estrella — because I wanted to offer our support and see how New York City can aid with the country’s recovery efforts. The NYPD already has an intelligence outpost in the Dominican Republic that is helping in any way they can. And I offered my own personal assistance to do everything possible to prevent some-
thing like this from happening again. We owe that to those we lost.
As a man of faith in a country of faith, my fi nal stop was to attend mass with the archbishop, Monsignor Francisco Ozoria, at San Antonio de Padua Church. Facing darkness in the aftermath of this tragedy, I prayed that the unity of our spirit can be the light that will turn our pain into purpose. Because together, we will over-
come it.
The links between our two communities are never stronger than in the wake of catastrophe. It was true in the past, from the destruction left by Hurricane Fiona to the fatalities of Flight 587, and it is true now. What I saw during my trip — the remarkable vitality of the Dominican people in spite of loss, their love for life and unwavering spirit surfacing above sadness — can also be found here in New York
City, a place where almost 1 million Dominicans call home.
Today, every New Yorker carries part of the Dominican Republic in their heart. Both of our people understand tragedy, but we’re also tough and we never give up. Psalm 147 says: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God bless those we have lost and God bless the survivors. Our hearts are broken but our hearts are also with you.
By Morris Gut
Mom deserves her special day. If you are planning to dine out on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11th, here are a few suggestions in the Bronx and Westchester that cover a wide variety of tastes. Special Hint: It is a big restaurant day, so be sure to reserve a table early. If possible, you can take Mom out the day before or after to keep it less stressful. Enjoy!
DINING AT NYBG
Take Mom for a stroll through the lovely New York Botanical Garden. There are Dining Pavilions near the Enid Haupt Pavilion: the casual family friendly Pine Tree Café or the more formal farmto-table Hudson Garden Grill. Changing specialties include Sweet Corn Chowder, Murray’s Chicken Cobb, Hudson Burger, and Salmon Vera Cruz. For info: 646-627-7711, or 718-817-8700. www.nybg. org/visit/dining/
THE FOUNTAIN AT MULINO’S
It’s lovely at Mulino of Westchester in White Plains. The dramatic fountain garden seen through a giant picture window is beautiful as is the lavish multi-level dining room and bar/lounge. General Manager Gimmy Cavagna and his staff keep the premises spiffy. Artworks, bursting colorful floral displays, the handsome bar. A special menu will be served. Don’t miss their dramatic Seafood Tower; Linguine Nere con Coda D’Aragosto Marechiaro, black linguine with baby lobster tails. and delicious cheesecake. Open 7 days. Valet parking. Reservations ad-
vised. Mulino of Westchester, 99 Court Street, White Plains 914-761-1818 www.mulinosny.com
SHARE A SEAFOOD
COMBO AT ARTIE’S
Owner Spiros Chagares of Artie’s Steak & Seafood on City Island offers patrons an inspired melding of traditional and contemporary dishes served with flair. Sit back in one of several inviting dining areas and enjoy such changing specialties as: hearty Seafood Chowders; Soft Shell Crab; Cold Seafood Platter for 2; Wood Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Scallops; hunks of tender Short Rib; a massive Zuppa Di Pesce; tender Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb; Chardonnay Poached Salmon with seafood; and fresh Lobsters prepared in a variety of styles. There’s a loaded Lobster Salad Roll and Mediterranean style Pizzas are good to share, too. Craft beer selection. Free parking. Artie’s, 394 City Island Ave., City Island, Bronx. 718-885-9885 www.artiescityisland.com
BRUNCH AT THE JOHNSON DINER
Partners John Solo, Stefanos Katsikoumbas and George Ballis opened The Johnson a year ago, their vision of a contemporized diner and bar that combines the best traditions of the past and present. A great stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner 7 days a week. We recently stopped in for a late breakfast/brunch and were quite happy with our reasonably priced generous portions and friendly service. The menu runs the gamut from breakfast all day, Eggs Benedict, Corned Beef Hash, Cobb Salad, Pat
Lafrieda Burgers, 14 oz. Ribeye Steak, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Moussaka. The Johnson Diner & Bar, 3533 Johnson Ave., Riverdale, the Bronx. 315-677-7665 www. thejohnsondinerbar.com
MAMMA FRANCESCA ON THE SOUND
Check out the views before the sun sets. When Nick DiCostanzo was growing up on the Island of Ischia on the Coast of Naples in Italy, his earliest memories where of the simple seaside meals he would enjoy with his family, farm-totable and of course sea-to-table. As proprietor of Mamma Francesca in New Rochelle for nearly 40 years, located on the banks of Long Island Sound with 6-story views of the ‘Queen City’s’ seafaring boat clubs, this culinary philosophy still holds true. Italian/American specialties include freshly made Manicotti, Calamari Fritti, Ischia Salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Misto Frutti di Mare. On occasion, Rabbit Cacciatore, too. Daily Happy Hours. Off-premise catering. Woodburning pizza oven. Free parking. Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-636-1229 www.mammafrancesca.com
TECHNICOLOR LOVE AT JILL’S
Partners Ro Flanagan, Shane Clifford and Chef Brendan Donohue, proprietors of popular Jack’s Bar & Kitchen, a popular Irish American tavern in Eastchester, have premiered Jill’s Bar & Restaurant in Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Jill’s, a colorful ode to modern Ireland, serves a winning combination of gastropub favorites and mod-
ern-American and European specialties along with a good dose of hospitality. The Fried Chicken Sandwich is a winner. There’s also Truffle Parm Fries, Chili Roasted Cauliflower, Lobster Cobb Salad, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Ahi Tuna Bowl, and Surf & Turf Tacos. Jill’s,100 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, off the corner of Mamaroneck Ave. Happy Hours. Weekend brunch. Closed Mondays. 914-341-1776 www.jillsbarandrestaurant.com
IRISH AMERICAN FARE AT JACK’S
Owner Shane Clifford and his staff serve an enhanced Irish/American tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohue’s kitchen include a refreshing Lobster Cobb Salad, tasty Chargrilled Octopus, Lamb Lollipops, 6-hour braised Short Ribs, decadent Lobster Mac N’ Cheese, a notable Burrata pizza out of their woodfired oven, Non Traditional Cod & Chips, and Wagyu Sliders. Weekend brunch. Open daily. TVs. Mu-
nicipal parking; free evenings. Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www. jackseastchester.com
Recently cited by Forbes Magazine, Chef Dean Vivolo’s robust regional Italian cuisine is served out of a restored vintage diner just across from Harrison's Metro-North station and the new Avalon complex. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen. Vivolo’s new spring menu includes a wonderful Linguini Nere with bay scallops. Free parking. Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199 www.trattoriavivolo.com
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for over 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)