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Joaquin Franco, age 42, of Brentwood, was indicted for criminal possession of a weapon and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Monday, Nov. 18, stemming from a shooting at a Central Islip residence.
Prosecutors said the victim and her two children were visiting her parents in Central Islip on Sunday, Oct. 20, when the family heard a loud bang from outside.
One resident ran upstairs and discovered that a bullet had entered the home, penetrating several walls, a television, and a child’s bedroom. The bullet narrowly missed an adult who was watching TV when it passed through the screen.
A total of five children were inside the home at the time. Nobody was injured.
The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which showed the shot coming from Franco’s truck before he drove away, prosecutors said.
Suffolk County Police later located Franco and a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, which was loaded with a high-capacity magazine with a live cartridge jammed in the chamber.
A search of his truck reportedly turned up a live pistol cartridge and one expended cartridge casing. The pistol did not have a serial number, making it a so-called ghost gun.
“The allegations in this case represent an egregious act of domestic violence that put innocent lives at risk,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“Our office takes acts of domestic violence extremely seriously, particularly those involving firearms and the endangerment of children.”
In court Monday, Franco was indicted on the following counts:
- Five counts of criminal possession of a weapon
- Reckless endangerment
- Four counts of endangering the welfare of a child
He was held on a $1 million bond. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
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