Community condemns gun violence in wake of Woodside shootings

Alfonso Vallinas addresses the rally. Vallinas’ wife Gudelia Vallinas, the mother of two young children, was shot and killed by a stray bullet earlier this month. Photo by Walter Karling

By David Brand

Queens leaders joined residents of the Woodside Houses rallied Thursday to condemn a spike in gun violence following three shootings, include one the night before.

One of the shootings took the life of Gudelia Vallinas, a 37-year-old mother of two struck by a stray bullet March 12. 

“They did not only kill a wife and a mother, a friend, they also killed me too,” said her husband Alfonso Vallinas. “Because now, when I walk the streets, I know that I'm not going to see her again. And that pain will never go away. I will have to live with that forever."

On Tuesday, another man, 29-year-old Elliot Clairborne, was shot and killed a block away. A third victim was shot Wednesday and is currently hospitalized.

No suspects have been arrested, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards urged local residents to share information that could lead to the killers.

“To the Vallinas and Clairborne families — our hearts are with you,” Richards tweeted. “To the individual shot near the Woodside Houses just last night, we are praying for your full recovery.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer spoke out against gun violence at a rally at the Woodside Houses Thursday. Photo by Walter Karling