Police announced they have arrested the man believed to be responsible for an attack that killed a family of four in Irondequoit, New York, last month.
Julio Cesar Pimentel-Soriano, 34, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the Aug. 31 deaths of Fraime Ubaldo, 30; Marangely Moreno-Santiago, 26; Evangeline Ubaldo-Moreno, 4; and Sebastian Ubaldo-Moreno, 2.
Firefighters found the victims’ bodies while putting out multiple fires at their home on Knapp Avenue that morning. Police said it quickly became apparent they had been killed by something other than the fire.
“It seems like this family was very well liked and very active in their community, so obviously my condolences go out to their family, friends and neighbors who had to suffer through this,” Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles said.
According to the felony complaint, Pimentel-Soriano is accused of using a sharp object to fatally stab each victim in the neck and chest multiple times.
“Obviously, the allegations are troubling,” Duckles said. “They are difficult to deal with. They are difficult to see.”
Police are trying to locate other individuals in connection with the deaths.
“We do believe there is at least one other actor that Irondequoit police are currently looking for,” Duckles said.
Police said Pimentel-Soriano is also wanted for a 2019 murder in the Dominican Republic. He allegedly entered Puerto Rico illegally and obtained fraudulent New York identification, allowing him to travel to the mainland U.S.
Duckles said he hadn’t confirmed that information but noted that Pimentel-Soriano also used the name Rafael Jose Vargas and had ties to the Rochester area.
The homicide remains under investigation. Duckles said that includes examining the relationships of everyone involved.
“I think that the community, the direct community in that neighborhood, should be reassured that, A, I don’t think this was something random that happened,” Duckles said. “I do think there is a motive. What that motive is, we are still looking into, and I can’t tell you what that is at this point in time.”
The case has been waived to a grand jury. Pimentel-Soriano is being held in Monroe County Jail without bail.