Recovered at scene
March 29, 2016 By Michael Florio
The man who went on a deadly crime spree earlier this month now faces 25 years to life in prison, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
James Dillon, 23, who slashed multiple victims and killed a liquor store owner on March 6, was arraigned last week while in the hospital.
He is being charged with murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, according to the Queens DA.
DNA Info previously reported on the charges.
Dillon continues to be hospitalized after being shot several times by police officers, which put an end to the violent tirade.
Dillon’s weekend long crime spree started on March 4, when he approached a 26-year-old man on 28th St. at 10:50 p.m. that night and slashed him on the chin, according to Captain Peter Fortune, Commanding Officer of the 114th Precinct.
The incidents picked up on March 6, when he slashed a 39-year-old woman on 36th Street. He then slashed a 43-year-old man while entering an apartment building on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights.
His violence turned fatal when he entered Astoria Liquors & Wines on Astoria Boulevard and stabbed owner George Patouhas in the neck. Patouhas was removed to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he later died.
Dillon also attacked a 61-year-old homeless man who frequents the liquor store. He splashed him with a flammable chemical and set the man on fire. The man was injured but survived.
Dillon then tried to break into a woman’s apartment on 42nd Street at 5 p.m., Fortune said last week. Following that he attempted to break into a FDNY vehicle on 35th Street near the 114th Precinct. Police spotted Dillon and began to chase after him, when he jumped the fence into his backyard.
Officers chased Dillon into the yard where he threw chemicals onto the officers. In the struggle police fired seven shots at Dillon, striking him in the leg. He has been hospitalized since.
Dillon is a diagnosed schizophrenic, who “apparently was off his medication for quite sometime,” according to Fortune.
His charges stem only from the 36th Street slashing and liquor store incidents.
