After a video emerged showing a New York City liquor store owner shooting a would-be thief, the owner has been arrested on numerous charges and now faces the possibility of up to seven years in prison. The incident, which occurred in Queens on Monday evening, has sparked a debate between prosecutors and community leaders, with the owner's supporters calling for the charges to be dropped.
Francisco Valerio, 53, the owner of Franja Wine and Liquors in Ridgewood, Queens, was charged with assault in the second and third degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree following the incident. According to the Queens District Attorney's Office, Valerio has a concealed carry permit, and the gun was concealed in his rear waistband.
Surveillance footage obtained by Fox News Digital shows Valerio pointing his handgun at 20-year-old suspect Kevin Pullatasi after the suspect charged at Valerio's brother, who works at the store. Pullatasi was previously kicked out of the store along with an accomplice after being caught stealing liquor bottles.
The video shows Pullatasi attempting to kick and punch Valerio's brother before Valerio intervened and fired his gun, striking Pullatasi. Pullatasi then dragged himself against a car as Valerio checked on him.
Pullatasi was treated in the hospital for a gunshot wound and charged with petit larceny, as was Edwin Poaquiza, the other suspect involved in the incident.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement that "all three of the defendants in this incident will have to answer charges against them."
"After the store was targeted by these shoplifters, the stolen merchandise was recovered, and the two men were escorted out of the store," Katz said. "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."
The decision to prosecute Valerio has been met with criticism from Fernando Mateo, the founder and spokesperson for United Bodegas of America. Mateo said that the store had been targeted by the same group of thieves at least four times previously and argued that business owners have the right to defend themselves.
"Frequent flier thieves must be stopped, we have the right to defend ourselves, our businesses, and our communities," Mateo said. "District attorneys must stop prosecuting victims and charging criminals when they commit crimes."
Mateo also criticized New York's bail reform policies, which he said have contributed to a rise in crime.
Neighbors near the store expressed support for Valerio's actions. "He had a permit to carry it, and they were assaulting him, and it was an accident," one neighbor told Fox 5. ". He shouldn't be in trouble."
Valerio's future remains uncertain as he faces the possibility of up to seven years in prison. His supporters are calling for the charges to be dropped, arguing that he was acting in self-defense. The outcome of the case will likely have implications for other store owners and the broader debate over crime and self-defense in New York City.
