Teen arrested in St. Dom's killing

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — City police have an 18-year-old Youngstown man in custody in the Jan. 23 murder and robbery of Angeline Fimognari, 80, who was killed after she left morning services about 8:45 a.m. at St. Dominic Church, 77 E. Lucius Ave.

Jamar Houser, also known as “Mook,” of 2704 Volney Road, was arrested without incident at 7:54 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Market Street and Philadelphia Avenue and taken to the Youngstown Police Department for questioning.

Fimognari was shot in the head in the church parking lot. Her purse was missing, leading police to believe she was a victim of robbery turned deadly. She had been dead up to an hour before being found, police said.

Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said after Fimognari’s death that the South Side neighborhood around the church would see an increase in police coverage over the next several days — something that he said would make residents in the area feel more secure and put the pressure on finding the person responsible for the shooting. Making the killing even more disturbing is that there wasn’t a sign of a struggle, Hughes said at the time.

“It isn’t a case where an elderly woman wouldn’t give up her purse. This isn’t an example of someone who refused to comply” with a criminal’s demands, he said.

Two Masses on Wednesday celebrated the faith and life of Fimognari — one at St. Dom’s, where she was known to attend two Masses daily, and a funeral Mass in St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman.

An East High School graduate, Fimognari worked 47 years at the McDonald Steel Credit Union, first as a clerk and then as the manager. She donated her time and her money to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

The city has offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the assailant. The money will come from public and private donations, Mayor Jay Williams has said.

Call police at (330) 747-7911, the Crime Stoppers of Greater Youngstown program at (330) 746-CLUE or e-mail info@youngstowncrimestoppers.com.