On a snowy Tuesday just before the Christmas of 1995, a tragic event unfolded at the Little Chester Shoe Store in the Bronx, forever altering the lives of many. Kyong Bae, a 41-year-old woman, was at the store with her husband, the owner, celebrating their second wedding anniversary. What began as a day of quiet celebration descended into a scene of unimaginable horror.
Shortly before noon, a 22-year-old man named Michael Vernon entered the shoe store, located near the Bronx Zoo.
Accounts of what precisely triggered the violence vary, with some reports suggesting Vernon became enraged after an argument with an employee over a pair of sneakers he wanted to buy. Other reports indicate his motive was a planned robbery that went horribly wrong. Vernon, who had a history of mental illness, including paranoid schizophrenia, and a criminal record, pulled out a 9mm pistol and began firing indiscriminately at the customers and employees inside the crowded store.
The store, bustling with holiday shoppers, was turned into a scene of chaos and bloodshed. When the shooting stopped, five people lay dead, and three others were critically wounded. Among the deceased were Kyong Bae, Maria Carrasquillo, 38, and her two sons, Ricardo Gonzalez, 13, and Rafael Gonzalez, 12, as well as 25-year-old Henry W. Lucero Inga. The senseless act of violence cut short the lives of a mother and her children, a young man, and a wife celebrating a joyous occasion.
Vernon’s attempt to escape the carnage was brief. As he fled the store, taking a hostage, he was immediately confronted by a police officer who had been flagged down by a woman who managed to escape. A shootout ensued, and Vernon was wounded. He was apprehended shortly after by other officers who were in the vicinity.
In the aftermath of the horrific event, Michael Vernon was indicted on 42 counts, including ten counts of first-degree murder. During his trial, his defense claimed he was insane at the time of the attack. However, prosecutors argued that the shooting was part of a bungled robbery attempt. Ultimately, the jury found Vernon guilty on all five counts of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder. On November 14, 1997, Michael Vernon was sentenced to life in prison.
