NYC Judge Releases Attempted Murder Suspect After Service Dog Shot
A Brooklyn judge released a 29-year-old man without bail after prosecutors charged him with attempted murder in a shooting that left a service dog belonging to a woman with Down syndrome wounded.
Adrian Benitez was arraigned Tuesday on charges including attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and aggravated cruelty to animals. Prosecutors requested $150,000 bail, but Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Janice Robinson ordered Benitez released under supervision.
The charges stem from an Aug. 19 shooting near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn’s Greenwood Heights neighborhood.
Authorities allege Benitez pulled out a handgun during a confrontation with another man and fired at him. The intended target was not struck.
Instead, the bullet struck Honey, a 7-year-old Labradoodle who serves as a service dog for 64-year-old Teresa Pezzolla, who has Down syndrome.
The bullet entered Honey’s shoulder area, leaving the dog injured and requiring emergency veterinary treatment.
Honey survived the shooting, and veterinarians performed surgery to remove fragments from the .22-caliber round, according to reports.
Pezzolla was not injured.
Police eventually identified Benitez using surveillance footage and arrested him at his home Tuesday, according to prosecutors. Authorities said he was not licensed to carry a firearm.
Adrian Benitez was arraigned Tuesday on charges including attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and aggravated cruelty to animals. Prosecutors requested $150,000 bail, but Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Janice Robinson ordered Benitez released under supervision.
The charges stem from an Aug. 19 shooting near Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn’s Greenwood Heights neighborhood.
Authorities allege Benitez pulled out a handgun during a confrontation with another man and fired at him. The intended target was not struck.
Instead, the bullet struck Honey, a 7-year-old Labradoodle who serves as a service dog for 64-year-old Teresa Pezzolla, who has Down syndrome.
The bullet entered Honey’s shoulder area, leaving the dog injured and requiring emergency veterinary treatment.
Honey survived the shooting, and veterinarians performed surgery to remove fragments from the .22-caliber round, according to reports.
Pezzolla was not injured.
Police eventually identified Benitez using surveillance footage and arrested him at his home Tuesday, according to prosecutors. Authorities said he was not licensed to carry a firearm.
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