In the early evening of a December weekend in Copiague, New York, a violent and sudden outburst shattered the ordinary atmosphere of a local deli, claiming the life of its owner, 61-year-old Bolivar Rodriguez. A man who had built a life for himself and his family after emigrating from the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez was a beloved figure in the community, known for his hard work and dedication to the business he ran for 27 years.
His life was tragically cut short on Monday, December 14, 2020, two days after being shot at his store, La Vaquita Corp. deli on Great Neck Road.
The events unfolded on Saturday, December 12, 2020, when a 62-year-old local man, Dionicio Calderon-Oseguera, entered the deli. After some time, and reportedly after a remark was made, Calderon-Oseguera produced a 9mm handgun and opened fire. The first victim was a customer, 47-year-old Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, who was fatally shot. The gunman then turned his weapon on Rodriguez, shooting him in the head. Two other men in the deli, Juan Ramone Avilla Roque, 30, and Daniel E. Acosta, 40, were also wounded in the rampage. Rodriguez was rushed to a local hospital with serious injuries but succumbed to his wounds two days later. His son, Bolivar Rodriguez Jr., was present in the deli's lower level at the time of the shooting and was with his father in his final moments.
The investigation into the shooting led to the swift arrest of Dionicio Calderon-Oseguera. He was taken into custody on Sunday, the day after the shooting. Initially, he was charged with one count of second-degree murder and three counts of second-degree attempted murder. Following Rodriguez's death, the charges were updated. During the investigation, Calderon-Oseguera reportedly confessed to the shooting, stating he had reacted to something said about him in the deli.
In February 2023, a jury found Dionicio Calderon-Oseguera guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The following month, he was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison, ensuring that the man responsible for the senseless violence that took the lives of two men and injured two others would spend the remainder of his life behind bars. The sentencing brought a measure of closure to the victims' families, who remembered Bolivar Rodriguez as a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
