Good afternoon, Bridget Martin, Channel 2 CBS News reporter.
March 4, 2006
Breaking news! Today, while conducting a press conference at the Columbia University library, there was an attempted assassination of Genovese Enterprises CEO, Diego Farina. Standing up there in front of the news microphones, Mr. Farina suddenly toppled backwards into the seated dignitaries including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Manhattan councilman Mike Miller, Dean William Brown, and Farina's daughter, Tiffany Farina.
Luckily, Mr. Farina was wearing a Kevlar vest that saved his life. Dr. Rosemary Cappadora happened to be at the scene and examined him before the paramedics arrived. She accompanied him in an ambulance the short distance to the nearby Columbia Medical Center.
The press conference was offered to announce the extension of the existing Columbia University library that will be named Farina Hall in honor of Mr. Farina's hefty contributions. Genovese Construction Inc. has been awarded the contract to erect the 25 million dollar structure.
Dr. Gregory House first spoke with Tiffany Farina, then addressed the waiting press, saying that the injury wasn't serious, one broken rib and a pretty nasty bruise. Mr. Farina, who remained in the clinic for several hours under Dr. Cappadora's care, refused to speak with the press, but did talk to Lt. Joseph Friday, a homicide detective out of the NYPD 5th Precinct who happened to be in attendance.
Lt. Friday later said it appeared that the shot was fired from a 9mm sniper rifle from behind the low brick parapet that surrounds the roof over the university cafeteria. There are no suspects as we speak, but the police are making every effort to determine who might have wanted Mr. Farina dead.
My attempts to interview Farina's daughter, Tiffany, were thwarted by New York Times columnist, Lindsay Davis, who rushed her away in Mr. Farina's limousine.
The press conference was offered to announce the extension of the existing Columbia University Library that will be named Farina Hall in honor of Mr. Farina's hefty contributions. Genovese Construction Inc. has been awarded the contract to erect the 25 million dollar structure.
