After ignoring multiple warnings, an elderly man shot and killed a career criminal rushing toward him. Police announced shocking charges that had the public demanding justice.
Citizens demanded justice after an elderly New Yorker was feloniously charged while attempting to escape a would-be mugger on the streets of Queens. Charles Foehner, 65, was hit with several serious counts all because of the method with which he defended his life and property.
Police announced that Foehner was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm after he shot his attacker dead. Foehner, who has no prior convictions, voluntarily turned himself in and faced a potentially harsh prison sentence under New York’s unforgiving law.
According to the New York Daily News, Foehner was confronted by 32-year-old Cody Gonzalez in an alley at 123-20 82nd Ave. The suspect approached Foehner with a “sharp object” in hand and demanded he hands over his money and cigarettes. Gonzalez, who has an extensive criminal history, reportedly tore through the area just moments earlier, smashing an intercom, windows, and doors in an effort to break into multiple buildings.
Gonzalez repeatedly lunged toward Foehner, who continued backing up. As the mugger closed in on him, Foehner drew his silver revolver and repeatedly warned Gonzalez to back off. When the unrelenting suspect charged at him from just 8 feet away, Foehner opened fire, hitting Gonzalez up to five times and ultimately killing him.
Foehner immediately called 911 and informed them of the details of the situation. He then waited for the police to arrive and turned himself in. However, he was placed in handcuffs and slapped with multiple weapons charges.
“We’re still investigating and as soon as we have all the facts, then we’ll make those decisions,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz told reporters. “This is a complicated case and we’re going to review the evidence.”
Although Foehner had an active NYPD firearms permit at the time, the license only covered a shotgun and not his revolver, The Blaze reports. Absurdly, his choice of self-defense and not necessarily the force used is what prosecutors choose to pursue.
Unsurprisingly, locals were outraged by the charges against Charles Foehner. In fact, even Cody Gonzalez’s own family members have come forward to defend his victim.
“We don’t fault the shooter,” Stephan Gonzalez said. “We all feel that Cody should have been in a psych facility. If anything, the state failed him.”
Anthony Aguilar, the alleged mugger’s cousin, said, “If he tried to rob him, the guy’s only defending himself. … You can’t blame him for defending himself.”
Gonzalez has been arrested numerous times for weapon possession, robbery, burglary, and petty larceny. He has also been accused of drug dealing and other criminal mischief.
Incredibly, if Charles Foehner had used his shotgun to blast the thief to oblivion rather than shooting him with a pistol, he probably wouldn’t have been faced with charges. The logic behind the law and subsequent charges is blatantly absurd.
Foehner was trying to disengage, was attacked, and was defending himself. It’s foolish to punish upstanding citizens who are protecting themselves from repeat offenders while criminals too often receive a slap on the wrist.
