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Rafael Gonzales death by force case profile photo

Rafael Gonzales

Case from Bronx, NY dated Dec 19, 1995

Victim Details

Rafael Gonzales

Male

Hispanic / Latino

Bronx

NY

1995-12-19

12

Rafael

Gonzales

07/21/2026

Case Description

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It was just six days before Christmas in 1995 when a festive shopping trip turned into a scene of unimaginable horror. Twelve-year-old Rafael Gonzalez was at the Little Chester Shoes store in the Bronx with his mother, Maria Carrasquillo, 38, and his 14-year-old brother, Ricardo. Rafael was excited, trying on a pair of sneakers he hoped to receive as a Christmas gift. His innocent joy was shattered in an instant when a man, later identified as 22-year-old Michael Vernon, unleashed a barrage of g ...
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Links to Additional Sources (3)

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  • https://archive.ph/Is7io
  • Dec 21, 1995, page 798 - Daily News at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com
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    Forum Posts (2)

    Does anyone remember the community response after the tragedy at Little Chester Shoes? I’ve been r... ...Read More
    09/20/2024
    I was just reflecting on the role that Little Chester Shoes played in its community before the trage... ...Read More
    08/03/2023
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