Preparedness
NYC Liquor Store Owner Faces Charge after Shooting Shoplifting Suspect
Tension and outcry are simmering among New Yorkers as they rally behind Francisco Valerio, a local liquor store owner facing severe charges. Valerio shot a man identified on surveillance footage shoplifting from his store on Wyckoff Avenue.
The footage, shared in parts by WABC-TV, features two men – Edwin Poaquiza and Kevin Pullatasi – entering the establishment. As Valerio and another customer confront the pair, Poaquiza is accused of off-camera theft, while Pullatasi seems to hide a bottle of liquor in his jacket. After a customer tells Pullatasi to return the bottle, both men are expelled from the store.
Footage from the exterior of the store introduces a new development – Pullatasi returns and seems to challenge Valerio to a fight. In response, Valerio produces a gun, strikes Pullatasi, and a shot is discharged.
Pullatasi, aged 20, sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Valerio, when questioned by a detective, labelled the shooting as accidental, while supporters argue it was an act of self-defense.
Yet, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz leveled heavy charges against Valerio, exceeding those attributed to the shoplifter. She stated,
“Two crimes resulted in three people being charged. 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.”
Accused of assault in the second and third degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, Valerio faces potentially significant penalties, per Katz’s office press release. Meanwhile, Pullatasi is likely to encounter only assault and petit larceny charges.
Supporters of Valerio argue that he was defending himself in a threatening situation. Johnny Nunez, a friend of Valerio’s family, said,
“It’s all based through the eyes of the person who was involved. Only Frank knows the circumstances that he was facing. We have one crime, one crime. They were stealing. Frank did not commit a crime.”
Jael Valerio, Francisco’s wife of three decades, fears the consequences of a conviction, which could result in the loss of their store and her husband’s freedom.
“These few days have been very, very hard. You would think somebody that is always doing the right thing, by others, by his peers, by everybody, and then this small incident happen, and he can lose his freedom over that? I don’t know what to say,” she lamented, adding, “If he has to go to jail, I don’t know what the kids are going to do.”
The Valerio family also revealed that Francisco holds a permit to carry concealed. His brother, Miguel Valerio, stated that both alleged thieves were not unfamiliar figures to the family.
“It’s been bad. We’ve been dealing with these guys all the time. And all the time, we ask them to leave. But this time was different,” he expressed.
Francisco’s defense was further amplified when Fernando Mateo of the United Bodegas of America organized a press conference. He urged the district attorney to dismiss the charges against Valerio, who, at 53, has no previous criminal record.
“Francisco did not know what [the suspect] had in his hand. Could’ve been a gun, could’ve been a knife,” Mateo argued. He added, “New York is our witness. We’re not asking the district attorney for anything that’s not fair.”
Supporters, including his wife, continue to ask for justice for Valerio. “Do the right thing by him. He’s one of the good ones,” she fervently expressed.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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A tragic incident in Michigan has resulted in a teenage boy facing severe charges after allegedly shooting another teen and fatally wounding the teen’s mother, who was trying to protect her son.
Anthony Deshawn Sneed, 15, is being charged as an adult with multiple serious offenses stemming from the incident that occurred on September 4th in Clinton Township.
The charges against Sneed include felony murder as a juvenile defendant, second-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, and four counts of felony firearm possession.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the conflict began when Sneed got into a fight with the son of Tanseen Sherrod.
During the altercation, Sneed allegedly stole a handgun from the other teen.
When Sherrod attempted to intervene in hopes of calming the situation, she was tragically shot by Sneed, authorities reported.
Details surrounding the exact nature of the fatal confrontation have not been made public.
The other teen involved in the incident was also shot and sustained critical injuries, though his current condition has not been disclosed.
Following the shooting, Sneed fled the scene but turned himself in to Detroit authorities the following day.
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An Arizona man has been charged with the murder of his childhood friend after the headless body of Alijah Bradley was discovered in the desert. The remains of the 24-year-old were found near Gila Bend, just days after his family had reported him missing.
Samuel Bush, 23, faces charges of second-degree intentional murder and concealing a body, with the charges being filed on September 4.
Bradley’s family was left puzzled over the motive behind the murder. A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their confusion to local news outlets KPHO and KTVK, stating, “We honestly don’t know. He was Sam’s best friend. He was Sam’s only friend.”
The family had reported Bradley missing on August 15 after he failed to show up for work and his mother had not heard from him. Bush had initially told the family he was unaware of Bradley’s whereabouts.
Using GPS coordinates, Bradley’s car was tracked to a remote desert location. On August 19, police found both the car and Bradley’s remains.
Authorities revealed that Bradley’s body had been dismembered, and confirmed that all parts of his remains had been recovered. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has yet to comment on a potential motive for the crime.
Bradley’s aunt, Melissa McNeal, shared her sorrow with ABC15, stating, “It’s devastating. He was just beginning his adulthood.” She added, “I don’t feel a relief or anything because – it doesn’t bring him back. It doesn’t fix anything.”
Bradley’s mother, who chose not to be named, committed herself to seeking justice for her son, saying, “I’m committing my life to obtaining justice for my son.”
Bradley was a Northern Arizona University graduate and had recently celebrated his birthday. A fundraising page set up for his family described him as being “known for his free spirit and wild soul.”
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A California family experienced a terrifying ordeal during their Labor Day picnic when their 5-year-old son was attacked by a mountain lion. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Tapia Day Use Area of Malibu State Creek Park in Calabasas, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.
The boy’s family and several other adults and children were enjoying their time when the mountain lion suddenly grabbed the child by the head and began to run.
“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” the boy’s aunt recounted.
“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”
The dramatic rescue unfolded in front of about 40 onlookers, some of whom noted that the mountain lion appeared completely unafraid during the attack.
Male mountain lions can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure up to 8 feet in length, making the father’s actions even more heroic.
The boy was promptly airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was released later that Sunday but had to return to the hospital on Monday due to complications involving his eyes.
Upon arrival at the scene, California State Park rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers found the mountain lion crouched in a tree near the picnic area.
The animal was deemed a threat to public safety and was euthanized by a ranger.
Wildlife officers collected evidence from the boy’s injuries, including DNA swabs from the bite marks, which were matched to the mountain lion.
“CDFW and State Park officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” the CDFW stated.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Marcos zMartinez
June 2, 2024 at 11:30 am
Blame the president and democrats. All the illegals and their justice system. Sorry, but he had every right to defend his property and there no room for thugs in society!
Captain Kublai
June 2, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Just a reminder. The second amendment enshrines citizen’s natural imperative to self-survival. It’s PRIMARY target is government parasites, non beholden to citizens, and run amuck with politicized tyranny. The amendment’s SECONDARY derivation is to be utilized surviving common street crime aggression. This case stinks of malfeasance by a political hack prosecutor who ignores the law. Will voting get these vermin from terrorizing the honest populace? Good question for deep thought.
Roberta Moore
June 2, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Stop the madness against innocent people trying to make a legal living!!!
Roberta Moore
June 2, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Stop the madness against people trying to make a legal living.
DanC
June 2, 2024 at 5:42 pm
To bad for the thief. This should happen to all thieves…
Chris L Mcpeters
June 2, 2024 at 5:57 pm
New York is a joke That man has every right to protect himself and his business
Jeff Boggs
June 2, 2024 at 11:56 pm
Guaranteed these 2 “Scholars” won’t be entering the store anymore. FAFO.