Michael Vernon Mass Murderer � December 1995
Overview
In December 1995, a 22-year-old man named Michael Vernon entered Little Chester Shoes, a small shoe store located near the Bronx Zoo in the Bronx, New York. What began as a robbery attempt swiftly devolved into a massacre, resulting in five deaths and three critical injuries. Vernon was apprehended after a gunfight with police, wounded, hospitalized, and later convicted.
Details of the Crime
Michael Vernon entered Little Chester Shoes on December 19, 1995, shortly before noon. While asking for a particular sneaker size�size 13� or a certain Nike style�he became angry when he could not obtain what he wanted. Witnesses reported that he said, �You should have given me those sneakers,� before opening fire on those in the store .
He announced a holdup and began shooting with an automatic 9 mm pistol. The victims included a mother shopping with two young sons and the wife of the store�s owner. He then attempted to flee using a hostage as a human shield but was engaged by a highway patrol officer outside the store, shot, and taken into custody .
Victims
- Maria Carrasquillo, 38 (Bronx) � killed at Little Chester Shoes, December 19, 1995
- Ricardo Gonzalez, 13 � Maria�s son, killed December 19, 1995
- Rafael Gonzalez, 12 � Maria�s son, killed December 19, 1995
- Kwong Bae (sometimes spelled Kyong or Kyong Bae), 41 � wife of the store�s owner, killed December 19, 1995
- Henry W. Lucero Inga, 25 (Larchmont) � killed during the shooting, December 19, 1995
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