In a city beset with rampant criminal behavior and retail establishments under siege from thievery, many are rallying behind the cause of 53-year-old Francisco Valerio.
Supporters include a bodega association which vehemently defended the right of business owners to defend themselves from criminal attacks. This particular assault was allegedly carried out by a pair of thieves who had already hit the establishment numerous times.
The shopkeeper owns Franja Wine and Liquors in Queens. He recently nabbed two shoplifters allegedly attempting to make off with bottles of liquor. Security video showed him and an employee rushing the two young men out of the store after one attempted to conceal a liquor bottle in his clothing.
But the confrontation only got worse from there.
Footage from outside the shop appeared to show 20-year-old Kevin Pullatasi rushing back at the front door and pushing the clerk. The worker, who is Valerio’s brother, was kicked and punched as the suspect dropped his bag and escalated the attack on the sidewalk.
That was when Valerio intervened. He produced a pistol and apparently attempted to strike the alleged attacker.
A shot went off, hitting Pullatasi. The young man stumbled against a car parked outside of the store before going down. At that point Valerio appeared to approach and offer help to the wounded suspect.
Because of this confrontation and the gunfire that struck the alleged assailant, Valerio was charged by the Queens District Attorney’s Office with assault in the second and third degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
This is despite Valerio possessing a valid concealed carry permit and having the weapon in his waistband.
The wounded alleged would-be thief was treated at the hospital. Pullatasi and Edwin Poaquiza, 20, both of Brooklyn, are accused of stealing two liquor bottles from the store.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stood firm on her indictment of the two young men as well as Valerio. “All three of the defendants in this incident will have to answer charges against them,” she said in a statement released to the media.
Katz added, “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.”
Founder and spokesperson for United Bodegas of America, Fernando Mateo, told Fox News Digital that misguided prosecutors only add to the exploding crime issue.
“Frequent flier thieves must be stopped, we have the right to defend ourselves, our businesses and our communities. District attorneys must stop prosecuting victims and charging criminals when they commit crimes.”
Mateo hardly stopped there. He described Valerio as a stable man who has been married for 30 years with two children. He explained that the Columbia graduate could lose all that he worked for if he is prosecuted for defending his business.
The advocate added, “DA Malinda Katz is holding his future in her hands, she must drop the charges.”
Bodega association president Radahmes Rodriguez declared that shopkeepers “are threatened, robbed, assaulted and looted every day, and the bad guys get away with it.”
Nearby Queens residents also voiced their support for the businessman, noting that he was attacked and the weapon discharge was accidental.
The crime problem plaguing U.S. cities will never be solved if the right to self-defense is given so little respect by prosecutors. Not only was Valerio clearly attacked, but the gunshot appeared to be accidental.
And of the three defendants, he faces by far the most severe consequences. This is hardly justice.
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