A New York City liquor store owner, Francisco Valerio, 53, has been charged following an altercation in which he shot a thief who attacked him inside his store.
This incident has ignited significant backlash from his union and the local community.
The confrontation took place at Franja Wines and Liquors in Ridgewood, Queens, where Valerio caught two suspects attempting to steal a bottle of Ciroc vodka.
The Confrontation
Valerio and his brother Luis reportedly confronted the two suspects, Edwin Poaquiza and Kevin Pullatasi, both 20, inside the store.
They pushed the suspects toward the door, leading to a heated dispute that spilled onto the street outside. After a brief exchange, Poaquiza and Pullatasi initially left but then ran back toward the store.
Pullatasi allegedly began throwing punches and kicks at the Valerio brothers.
According to officials, during the struggle, Valerio swung his gun at Pullatasi, which discharged, striking him in the abdomen.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
The incident was captured on surveillance footage inside and outside the store, showing Pullatasi collapsing after being shot.
In court, Valerio was arraigned on multiple charges, including second and third-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Despite having a license for the pistol, Judge Anthony Battisti ordered Valerio to return to court on July 29.
Poaquiza faced a charge of petit larceny and was ordered to return to court next month, potentially facing up to 364 days in jail.
Pullatasi was taken to a local hospital for treatment of internal bleeding, with criminal charges against him still pending.
District Attorney’s Statement
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz commented on the case, stating, “Two crimes, inside and outside a liquor store, resulted in three people being charged.
As alleged, brazen thieves stole merchandise from a neighborhood liquor shop. After the store was targeted by these shoplifters, the stolen merchandise was recovered, and the two men were escorted out of the store.
At that point, the store owner was physically attacked by one of the men. Unfortunately, as alleged, that led to a reckless shooting by the store owner on a public street in broad daylight.
All three defendants in this incident will have to answer charges against them.”
Union and Community Reactions
The United Bodegas of America has called for the charges against Valerio to be dropped. Group President Radahmes Rodriguez expressed frustration, saying, “We are threatened, robbed, assaulted, and looted every day, and the bad guys get away with it.
They are freed without bail and nothing ever happens to them. When we fight back, we are jailed and, in some cases, prosecuted. This must stop.”
Miguel Valerio, Francisco’s brother, spoke out about the repeated encounters with Poaquiza and Pullatasi, describing them as repeat offenders.
“We are dealing with these guys all the time. All the time we ask them to leave, this time was different,” he said.
His wife, Jael, added, “If he has to go to jail, I don’t know what the kids are going to do. He’s one of the good ones.”
Fernando Mateo, a spokesman for the group, urged the District Attorney to reconsider the charges.
“We are once again asking DA Melinda Katz to drop the charges. Mr. Valerio is an honorable man in society; this should not change his life,” Mateo stated.
Local Support
Israel Ruiz, a nearby resident, expressed his dismay at the charges against Valerio. “I have lived in this neighborhood since 1978, and nothing like this has ever happened before.
It’s a disgrace that Francisco has been charged by the DA. Unfortunately, the gun went off, it happens. You have a right to defend yourself.
I would have done exactly the same thing. I’m a Vietnam veteran. I know the owner; he’s a nice guy.
The people that run the store are good people, everyone knows them. They aren’t the type of people who just hurt people. I think the DA should drop the charges; it’s not fair.
Guys like that are messing up for everyone in the country,” he told DailyMail.com.
Historical Context: Similar Incidents
This case is reminiscent of the 2022 incident involving Jose Alba, who was acquitted after stabbing a career criminal to death in self-defense in his Harlem bodega. Alba’s charges were dropped following public outrage, and he eventually left New York for the Dominican Republic.
Mayor Eric Adams had supported Alba, emphasizing his right to self-defense.
Conclusion
The case of Francisco Valerio has sparked significant debate about the rights of store owners to defend themselves against criminals.
With union support and community backing, there is a growing call for the charges against Valerio to be reconsidered, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by small business owners in protecting their livelihoods.
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