‘Let Jhony Go’ - Protestors Demand Bodega Owner Be Set Free After Defending Self

Bodega Owner Facing Charges After Shooting Gunman with ‘Found’ Weapon

Founder and spokesman for the United Bodegas of America Fernando Mateo (Center) is calling on the Bronx District Attorney to drop all charges against bodega owner Jhony Gomez during a rally on Elton Avenue. -Photo by David Greene

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

December 17, 2024 

Follow @Bronxvoice1

BRONX - A Bronx bodega owner is facing illegal weapons charges after he claimed to have found a stashed handgun in his public bathroom and used it against two alleged stickup men before he could turn it in to police.

According to the United Bodegas of America (UBA), Jhony Gomez, the owner of Mi Gerizin Market at 777 Elton Avenue was behind the counter on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, when two masked men entered the store demanding cash.

UBA claims Gomez was defending customers inside his store and himself when he fired at the two masked men, striking one in the leg.

On December 4, members of the UBA and friends of Gomez held a rally outside of the shop demanding that all charges be dropped against Gomez, that the Bronx District Attorney prosecute the two-armed robbers and legislators strengthen protections for small business owners.

According to UBA, Gomez had owned the shop for 13 years and is the father of four children and has been married for 20 years. UBA also claims that Gomez found the illegal weapon in a trash can inside his store’s public bathroom and that Gomez was going to bring it to a police station before church later that day.

UBA founder and spokesman Fernando Mateo said of the incident, “Jhony Gomez is a hardworking family man, not a criminal. He acted in a moment of terror to protect his life, his customers, and his employees from armed robbers. The fact that those robbers are free while Jhony is being prosecuted is an injustice that no New Yorker should tolerate.”

Mateo added, “District Attorney Darcel Clark must take a stand for justice, not against a man who did what anyone would do to protect their loved ones.”

In a statement issued by Radhames Rodriguez, the President of UBA, he said, “Bodega owners are the backbone of our communities, yet they are left vulnerable to crime every single day.”

Rodriguez added, “Prosecuting him sends the wrong message to criminals that they can terrorize our businesses without consequence. We demand justice for Jhony and accountability for the real criminals.”

On December 4, the Bronx District Attorney announced that Gomez was released without bail and is due back in court on December 19. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old who Gomez wounded, his case was sent to family court as a source at the district attorney’s office said, “he was not charged with something eligible for criminal court.

Gomez faces four counts of criminal possession of a weapon and possession of ammunition.