Parishioners pray for suspect

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By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The pastor of St. Dominic Church said the arrest of a South Side man in the slaying of a parishioner puts a face to the person for whom the congregation has been praying.

Those prayers are for Angeline Fimognari, 80, who was killed and robbed in the church parking lot after an 8 a.m. Jan. 23 mass, said the Rev. Gregory Maturi, but added that they’ve also been offering prayers for the person who shot her.

“Our faith tells us to pray for those who harm us,” he explained.

Friday’s arrest of Jamar Houser gives that person a face, he said.

Houser, 18, also known as “Mook,” was arrested shortly before 8 p.m. Friday at Philadelphia Avenue and Market Street and charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. He remains in Mahoning County jail awaiting arraignment Monday.

Court records show he is free on bond awaiting trial on a 2009 case in which he was charged with improperly discharging a firearm into a house.

Police said Fimognari’s purse was taken and she was shot in the head. She was believed to be the last person to leave Mass that morning and was found in her car in the church lot.

“She lived a very humble and selfless life,” her brother, John Fimognari. told The Vindicator on Saturday night. “She prayed for everyone. That’s why she was in the church so long. She really cared about people.”

“Angie,” as her family called her, served as a nanny to her nieces’ and nephews’ children after she retired, he said, adding that she recently told him that she loved being around children because they always told the truth and you could see their innocence.

She did things for people and never told anyone about it, her brother said. She made everyone feel they were the most special person in her life, “and she was special in a lot of peoples’ lives,” he said.

“She never denied anybody help. Her whole life was that way,” he said.

John Fimognari said he had no immediate reaction to the announcement of an arrest.

“My body is literally numb,” he said, explaining that his thoughts have been about his sister and what life will be like without her.

“I’ve cried a lot. My family’s cried a lot,” he said.

As for the suspect, “I hope they got him. I hope they keep him off the streets so he can’t hurt anyone else. I’m sure the legal system will take care of him,” he said.

Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said police received a number of tips and information that led them to want to speak to Houser.

They served a search warrant at his 2704 Volney Road home earlier Friday evening, but he wasn’t there. Subsequent telephone conversations between Houser and members of his family led him to learn that police were looking for him, and he agreed to surrender to authorities at Philadelphia and Market, Hughes said.

No weapon has been recovered, but Hughes said police have turned up new information that have them expanding the search area for evidence in the crime.

Surveillance videos recovered from church cameras have helped police, and the FBI is assisting in enhancing images on those tapes, Hughes said.

Police are checking all leads to make sure no one else is involved in the case, he said, adding, “At this point, we’re comfortable with the individual we have.”

People entering St. Dom’s for Saturday’s 5 p.m. Mass said they were pleased an arrest has been made, but those questioned said the murder didn’t dissuade them from coming to church.

“I’m glad an arrest was made,” said Andrew D’Apolito, 83, of Boardman, but he said he wasn’t worried himself.

“I’ve been raised in these neighborhoods,” the former South Sider said.

“I hope [Houser] is the right guy,” said Robert Wilson, 25, of Canfield, who said he knows Fimognari’s nephew. “I hope the trial won’t be drawn out.”

Wilson said he didn’t let the murder prevent him from continued visits to the South Side.

Neither did Robert Rutkousky, 25, also of Canfield.

Rutkousky said he was “relieved” that an arrest was made but didn’t let the slaying phase him. He said he comes to the South Side routinely to attend church and dine, and that won’t change.

“Thrilled,” is the word one parishioner used to describe her feelings about the arrest.

“There’s been a concern [about safety] for years,” offered her husband. The Boardman couple, who said they’ve attended St. Dom’s since the 1960s, declined to give their names.

A Canfield parishioner who also declined to be identified, said he’s been attending the church for about 10 years.

He said he wasn’t concerned about safety as a result of the slaying.

“I think it was a random situation,” he said, adding that he was glad to hear about an arrest.

Father Maturi said he wasn’t surprised that an arrest was made quickly and was pleased that police did such a good job in a city where doing police work can be difficult.

The church has 23 surveillance cameras, and the priest said he was sure the tapes would help police identify a suspect.

Parishioners have expressed relief that an arrest has been made, he said, adding, “It gives them a better sense of safety.”

“We’re happy that justice can now be served,” he said, explaining it will help bring closure to Fimognari’s family and the community.

St. Dom’s has 1,200 parishioners and it’s too early to tell if the slaying will affect attendance, but there’s been no noticeable change in attendance so far, he said, adding that altar servers and people who volunteer and spend time working in the church haven’t stopped coming.

If anything, the people are “more resolute” about coming to mass, he said.

“Our parishioners are very strong in their faith. People love St. Dominic’s and they are going to support St. Dominic’s. They’re not going to let some evil person or action deter them from worship at their church,” he said.

gwin@vindy.com