Queens liquor store owner charged with shooting shoplifter [Video]

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Queens liquor store owner was charged after he shot and wounded an accused shoplifter, who was also charged, as the men fought on a street outside the store this week, prosecutors said Wednesday, as a group representing bodega owners described the shooting as accidental and an act of self-defense.

The Queens D.A.’s Office announced the charges against the three men in connection with the botched shoplifting and subsequent shooting at Franja Wine and Liquors in Ridgewood on Monday evening.

“Two crimes, inside and outside a liquor store, resulted in three people being charged in this case,” D.A. Melinda Katz said in a statement.

According to the D.A., the stolen liquor was recovered, but as the two “brazen thieves” were escorted from the store, one of them attacked the owner. “Unfortunately, as alleged, that led to the reckless shooting by the store owner on a public street in broad daylight,” …