By Madina Toure
A 32-year-old man who was drinking in Flushing says he sought refuge in three nearby homes when he was shot by four men after they stole his wallet early Sunday morning.
The man, who identified himself as Richie Guerrero, was walking in the northwest corner of Leavitt Street and 32nd Avenue at about 12:15 a.m. when he was approached by four black men, according to a police spokesman.
Guerrero was forced to give the men his wallet containing his ID and $100 in cash as well as a bank card, the spokesman said.
The men then shot him with a crossbow and a firearm, causing injuries to hit right arm and his right buttock, the spokesman added.
In a telephone interview from his hospital bed, Guerrero said he had been drinking on 35th Avenue and Union Street when he was approached by the men, who fired 10 shots, three of which hit him on the top of his shoulder, under the arm and in his arm.
He said he saw three houses, rang all three doorbells and looked for a phone and people to help him. He found an unlocked door at one home, entered it and drank milk and orange juice in the fridge and went down to the basement.
When police arrived, the people who lived in the home alerted them that someone was in the house.
“So when I came out the front door, I come out to cops with their guns drawn,” Guerrero said. He showed the cops his wounded arm and back, he said.
Guerrero was admitted to the hospital for several days and then was discharged.
The suspects fled in an unknown direction and the investigation was ongoing, the NYPD spokesman said.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
