Cops: Man sought for questioning in killing of NYPD tech worker

Detectives were searching Monday night for a man they want to question in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman who worked as an 11-year civilian police department employee.

The shooting, just after 8 a.m., Monday, also seriously wounded a neighbor who had come to the aid of the victim, identified by police as Migdalia Ortega, 51. Ortega had worked in the information technology bureau of the NYPD, according to police.

Investigators Monday night identified Pedro Cintron, 55, as someone they want to question. Police did not release a home address for Cintron.

The NYPD did release three photographs, two of a man identified as Cintron, and a third of a car he allegedly drove.

In one image, a man identified as Cintron appears to be wearing yellow and black gloves. Another image is a government-issued photograph and the third shows a black compact vehicle used by Cintron, the NYPD said.

Cops discovered the two wounded women after a 911 call of shots fired about 8:15 a.m. in Ridgewood, according to police. Upon entering a third-floor apartment on Fresh Pond Road, police found a woman later identified as Ortega, with gunshot wounds to the head and body, as well as the injured neighbor, according to Deputy Chief Julie Morrill, head of the NYPD’s Queens North detectives.

Ortega was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The other victim, who was hit in the abdomen and shoulder, was listed in critical but stable condition at the same hospital, according to police.

During a briefing with reporters Monday morning, Morrill said the incident started as a domestic dispute between Ortega and the man. The man shot Ortega and a neighbor who had entered the apartment to check on her. After being shot, the neighbor fled back to her unit with the assailant continuing to fire, Morrill said.

The NYPD employee assistance unit was helping Ortega's family, said Morrill, noting that Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell had gone to the hospital and met with the victim's relatives.

Morrill said there had not been any prior record of any problems at the apartment.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish language 1-88-57-PISTA (74782). All calls are strictly confidential.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.com

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.