RIDGEWOOD, Queens (PIX11) --- A liquor store owner is accused of shooting a shoplifter during a skirmish outside his Queens store on Monday, authorities said.
Francisco Valerio, 53, was charged with assault after firing his gun while trying to pistol-whip the thief outside Franja Wine and Liquors at 785 Wyckoff Ave. in Ridgewood at around 7:40 p.m., according to prosecutors. Valerio was initially charged with reckless endangerment before the charges were upgraded.
Kevin Pullatasi, 20, was hit in the abdomen and remained hospitalized, as of Wednesday, officials said.
Valerio and his brother, Luis, saw Pullatasi and his accomplice, Edwin Poaquiza, 20, take some liquor bottles and made them put them back on the shelves before asking them to leave the store, according to court records.
The owner and his brother then allegedly shoved the two men out of the store and blocked the door while Pullatasi and Poaquiza stood on the sidewalk. The four men then argued before Pullatasi ran back and a brawl ensued.
Pullatasi allegedly kicked and punched the men while trying to slam their hands on the door frame, prosecutors said. Valerio then shot the suspect in the stomach while trying to hit him with the weapon, officials said. Pullatasi is being treated for internal bleeding.
Valerio pleaded not guilty and was released without bail at his Tuesday arraignment, according to court records.
The charges against Pullatasi are pending, authorities said. Poaquiza was charged with petit larceny, authorities said.
"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," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
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