SUNNYSIDE — A Sunnyside man was arrested by police in the 108th Precinct after he allegedly fired a Roman candle at a police officer intent on citing him for illegal fireworks, the Queens district attorney’s office said.
On July 5, around 12:45 a.m., Armando Gomez, 18, was allegedly shooting fireworks into the air near a crowd of people at 53rd Street and Skillman Avenue, according to a criminal complaint filed by the DA’s office. An officer responding to the scene began to approach Gomez and another man when someone in the crowd shouted “police,” the DA’s office said.
Gomez and the other man allegedly leveled their Roman candles at the officer and fired them, lighting the officer’s uniform on fire, the DA’s office said. The officer, who was wearing a kevlar vest, was otherwise unhurt.
Police caught up with Gomez the next night when they responded to a call for crowd control at Laurel Hill Boulevard and 49th Street. The same officer allegedly spotted Gomez in the crowd and police arrested him.
The officer told prosecutors he overheard a bystander ask, “Are you arresting him for the fireworks he shot at you the other nighti” the DA’s office said.
Gomez was charged with reckless endangerment, attempted assault and criminal mischief. He was arraigned July 9 and held in lieu of $7,500 bail, the DA’s office said. His next court date is July 21.
