Retired Correction Officer Wounds 2 in Queens Shooting

[Waxd0g]

Retired Correction Officer Wounds 2 in Queens Shooting

Source: Ex-Correction Officer Shoots 2 Men at Queens Bowling Alley - NYTimes.com

February 6, 2010

A retired New York City correction captain working security at a Queens bowling alley shot and wounded two men during a violent confrontation early Saturday morning outside the alley, the authorities said.

The retired officer, Michael Iavecchio, 54, was charged with two counts of second-degree assault after the 1:50 a.m. shooting outside the AMF 34th Avenue Lanes, at 6910 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, the police said.

The two wounded men, both 29, were in stable condition at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens on Saturday, the police said. The police did not identify them.

The violence unfolded after Mr. Iavecchio, who was armed, asked the men to leave because they were smoking cigarettes in a vestibule, according to the police. Mr. Iavecchio then escorted the men outside, where the ensuing fight and shooting were captured on a surveillance video, a law enforcement official said.

According to the official, words were exchanged and the two men “put their hands” on Mr. Iavecchio. He pulled out a .380-caliber Ruger pistol, but the men “go back at him and he shoots,” the official said.

Mr. Iavecchio fired two shots; one bullet hit one of the men in the chest and the other hit the second man in the stomach, the police said.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was still open, said that detectives were conferring with prosecutors from Queens County, and that it was unclear whether the two wounded men would also be charged with a crime. Detectives at the 115th Precinct station house were reviewing the video. The official added that Mr. Iavecchio had an active and unrestricted license to carry a concealed weapon.

“So his permit is valid,” the official said.

A woman who answered the telephone at the bowling alley on Saturday declined to comment.

“I don’t want to answer any questions,” she said. “I’d rather let my boss deal with that.”

Matthew Carroll, a manager at the bowling alley, referred questions to corporate officials in Virginia, but several calls to those offices were not returned.

The bowling alley is on a desolate commercial strip just south of Northern Boulevard. It has 35 lanes for bowling, as well as billiard tables and a snack bar.

On Saturday afternoon, about half the lanes were occupied with youth bowling teams and families and friends bowling together. One worker said that uniformed police officers had been in the alley on Saturday morning.

“We feel very safe, very secure here,” said Lorna Rainey, who came to the bowling alley on Saturday to see her daughter’s bowling coach. “It’s a great, all-American sport, and it’s a good place for kids to play it.”

Stephen J. Morello, a spokesman for the Department of Correction, said that Mr. Iavecchio retired on July 19, 1999, after an 18-year career.

“He retired voluntarily,” Mr. Morello said.

Mr. Iavecchio held the rank of captain when he retired, and his last assignment was working in the Kings County Hospital Center prison ward, Mr. Morello said. Further details about Mr. Iavecchio’s work history were not immediately available, he added.

[guarddog]

LOL...sounds like 2 thugs brought fists to a gun fight...Good Job Cap'n

[Grandma]

Yep, I'd feel safe bowling there too. He should get out of this just fine. With the tape showing the thugs came back at him after he showed his gun, well geez, they're just too stupid to be walking around.

[GS8]

well at least we know he can hit his mark.

on another note he should be cleared due to the fact that the aggressors continued to go after him even when he tried to warn them. Hell if I am in my 50's and 2 thugs came after me I would pull my fire arm since it is a great equalizer.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Not to mention that he can't afford to let them disarm him.

[aceman]

Why would the prosecutors even waste time charging him; this was clearly proper procedure, and self defense.

[retbop]

There are 2 reasons for a DA to bring charges against a person and to refer them to the grand jury. The first reason is to PUNISH them by convicting them of a crime. The second reason is to CLEAR them of any wrong doing. Believe it or not.

[reivertom]

In my home town if you defended yourself against two thugs, the cops would probably take you to dinner after they took the thugs to the hospital and then to jail. That's why I don't live in a big city.

It is because the world dislikes Correctional Officers, thus always is the reason to look into charging him. If he were a regular beat cop his department would have cleared him immediatly. JMHO

NY is one of the worst states on gun restrictions, only the criminal walks around freely with a weapon.