Northeast
NYC shop owner with concealed carry permit faces 7 years for inadvertently shooting would-be thief
A New York City liquor store owner could face seven years behind bars after a video shows he shot a would-be thief who had been kicked off the premises along with an accomplice. But the head of a large bodega organization is calling on prosecutors to drop the charges.
Francisco Valerio, 53, who owns Franja Wine and Liquors in Ridgewood, Queens, caught the two shoplifters stealing liquor bottles from the store at around 7:40 p.m. Monday and booted them out with the help of another clerk, the Queens District Attorney’s Office says. Video from inside the store shared with Fox News Digital shows one of the suspects dressed in red trying to stuff a liquor bottle into his jacket.
The situation outside then turned violent when 20-year-old suspect Kevin Pullatasi charged at the liquor store door. He pushed the door against the store worker, who responds by waving his hand at him as a shouting match ensues, video shows. The store worker is the owner’s brother.
Pullatasi then walked away before dropping his bag and charging at the door again. Pullatasi can be seen on video trying to kick and punch the store worker.
NYC RESIDENTS IN AOC’S DISTRICT FURIOUS OVER ‘UNBEARABLE’ MIGRANT CRISIS, CRIME: SHE ‘ABANDONED’ US
A New York City liquor store owner, Francisco Valerio, could face seven years behind bars after video shows he shot a would-be thief, left. One of the suspects was seen trying to steal a bottle of liquor, right. (United Bodegas of America)
That’s when store owner Valerio appears in the video and can be seen trying to pistol-whip Pullatasi, who then drops to the ground having been shot. Pullatasi then dragged himself against a car before Valerio went over to check on him.
Valerio has been 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. The DA’s office says that Valerio has a concealed carry permit and that the gun was concealed in his rear waistband.
Pullatasi, who was treated in hospital for a gunshot wound, was charged with petit larceny, as was Edwin Poaquiza. They both have addresses in Brooklyn and prosecutors say they stole two bottles of liquor.
“All three of the defendants in this incident will have to answer charges against them,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
JUDGE JUDY HAS SCATHING MESSAGE FOR CITIES ENGULFED IN BRAZEN CRIME, PINPOINTS ‘RIDICULOUS’ POLICIES
Valerio goes to check on the would-be thief. (United Bodegas of America)
“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.”
The decision to prosecute Valerio was slammed by Fernando Mateo, the founder and spokesperson for United Bodegas of America, who said that the perpetrators’ crew had targeted the store at least four times before.
“Frequent flier thieves must be stopped, we have the right to defend ourselves, our businesses and our communities,” Mateo told Fox News Digital via a statement. “District attorneys must stop prosecuting victims and charging criminals when they commit crimes.”
Mateo said that business owners are constantly dealing with looting, shoplifting, assaults and robberies, among other crimes. He also slammed New York’s often perceived soft-on crime policies, including bail reform which he demanded be changed.
The suspect kicks the store door, left, and the duo are seen outside, right. (United Bodegas of America)
“Francisco Valerio is a licensed gun owner, has been married for 30 years, has two children and is a Columbia graduate. He is a liquor store owner and a member of the 83rd precinct community, he will lose everything he has worked for if prosecuted,” Mateo said.
“DA Malinda Katz is holding his future in her hands, she must drop the charges.”
Neighbors living near the store said they supported Valerio’s actions.
“He had a permit to carry it and they were assaulting him, and it was an accident. He shouldn’t be in trouble,” one neighbor told Fox 5.
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Caesars Entertainment expanded on its partnership with three Wabanaki Nations tribes to launch Maine online casinos when the industry goes live later in 2026.
Following weeks of relative radio silence, some progress has been made regarding the Maine online casino industry, which is expected to launch sometime in 2026. According to a press release, Caesars Entertainment expanded on its existing partnership with three Wabanaki Nations tribes in the state. As a result, when the Maine iGaming market goes live, the state will feature three Caesars online casinos.
Caesars snatches three of four Maine online casino licenses
Under state law that passed earlier this year, there are four licenses up for grabs for incoming iGaming platforms, all of which come via the four Wabanaki Nations tribes.
By expanding its agreement with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Penobscot Nation, Caesars Entertainment will account for three of those Maine online casino licenses.
In an announcement, it opens the door for the rollout of Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino and the flagship Caesars Palace Online Casino, which likely will feature a welcome offer via a Caesars Casino bonus code.
The long-term agreement, per the announcement, sets up Caesars to debut those platforms in 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
The expanded partnership comes on the heels of the 2023 introduction of Caesars’ online sportsbook. In addition to a commitment to offer a best-in-class and responsible online gambling experience, Caesars will invest in local workforce development by employing, training and developing members of each tribe to provide “meaningful financial support to help fund tribal community programs and initiatives,” according to a press release.
Caesars expanded partnership ‘a meaningful opportunity’
There has been no update as to if the Passamaquoddy Nation will partner with a legal gambling online casino for that fourth and final license, although it does have DraftKings in its corner for online sports betting.
Until then, it is only Caesars Entertainment platforms that residents can look forward to enjoying when the market launches in 2026.
“Together, we’ve built a strong and responsible sports wagering experience, and this next phase reinforces our commitment to our tribal partners and to delivering a differentiated, localized digital gaming experience for Mainers,” Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital, said in a statement. “We’re grateful to Gov. Janet Mills, the Maine Legislature and the Maine Gambling Control Unit for their continued leadership and thoughtful approach to gaming in the state.”
Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation added that integrating these new online casinos from Caesars “represents a meaningful opportunity to build on that foundation” already in place with Caesars Entertainment.
Lawsuit still pending regarding Maine online casinos
While there has been some movement for the future of legal casino games online in Maine, there remains a lawsuit still pending in the state.
Churchill Downs – which operates Oxford Casino Hotel, one of two commercial land-based casinos in Maine – sued to have the iGaming law invalidated, saying that the state legislature “blessed a race-based monopoly” by awarding online casino licenses to tribal partners only.
Penn Entertainment, which owns Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, is not involved in the litigation, but CEO Jay Snowden criticized Maine’s framework in a Q4 2025 earnings call.
Snowden emphasized how the property has been in operation since 2005, investing hundreds of millions of dollars and being “as involved in the community” as any entity can be. Yet Maine lawmakers chose to “hand a monopoly to a third party that’s never invested a dollar in the industry.”
Responsible Gambling
Bettors must be 21 years or older and otherwise eligible to register and place wagers at online casinos. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek assistance from trained professionals such as the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-MY-RESET.
Cambridge Police are investigating a fatal shooting near the intersection of Broadway and Norfolk Street early Saturday morning.
Around 5:30 a.m., Cambridge Emergency Communications received a call for a person laying on the ground near the intersection of Broadway and Norfolk Street. Officers were dispatched to the area, and Paramedics from the Cambridge Fire department declared the person dead on scene. The victim had an apparent gunshot wound, according to Cambridge police.
There were not many details initially released, but an active investigation is underway by the Cambridge police, Middlesex District Attorney’s office and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.
Additional information will be shared when it becomes available.
Police are asking anyone with information surrounding this incident to contact the Cambridge police department at (617) 349-3300.
250 years in, and America is still a work in progress. Many American poets have written hymns and howls, declarations and outcries for this country that brims with so many people, and so many hopes, from all over the world.
“I Hear America Singing,” Walt Whitman wrote, in the 1850s.
“…the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
…The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else…”
Emma Lazarus’ “The New Colossus” was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal in 1903. It’s a poem in praise of immigrants who were cast out from other lands and found safe harbor in America.
“Give me your tired, your poor,” wrote Emma Lazarus.
“… your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
But Langston Hughes’ 1949 poem, “Freedom,” reminds us that many Black American families did not sail to America under the flame of a welcoming lamp, but were captive, shackled, to be sold into bondage. After the Emancipation Proclamation, many still endured segregation, bigotry and the constant threat of racist violence.
“I tire so of hearing people say, let things take their course,” wrote Langston Hughes.
“Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.”
This week, as the U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, you might read Shirley Geok-lin Lim’s 2017 poem, “Learning to Love America,” about how immigrants make America their own as they start families here.
“…because to have a son is to have a country,” she writes.
“…because my son will bury me here
because countries are in our blood and we bleed them”
The America great poets see is imperfect, unsettled, and unfinished, even after 250 years. Lawrence Ferlinghetti wrote in 1958 these words that still ring out:
“…I am waiting
for a rebirth of wonder
and I am waiting for someone
to really discover America”
Copyright 2026 NPR
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