Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Forum Posts for Ricky Gonzales:
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On December 19, 1995, 14-year-old Ricky Gonzales was killed inside the Little Chester Shoe Store in the Bronx. He was there with his mother, Maria Carrasquillo, and his 12-year-old brother, Rafael Gonzalez, when a gunman entered the store and opened fire, killing the three members of the Gonzalez family and two other people. Three additional bystanders were critically injured.

Police say the shooter, 22-year-old Michael Vernon, used a 9mm pistol after a dispute in the store; investigators described the incident as a botched robbery. Vernon reportedly tried to flee by taking a hostage but was confronted by a highway patrol officer, wounded in a subsequent shootout, and taken into custody.

At trial, Vernon was found guilty of multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder; on October 25, 1997, a jury convicted him and he was sentenced to life without parole. If anyone knew Ricky, his family, or saw the scene that day, please share what you know.