By Anthony Rifilato
First Precinct police did not identify the victim, but said the 44-year-old man was walking to his car at about 1:25 a.m. when he was confronted by an unidentified man with a gun, along with a female accomplice.
The victim's wife, who did not give her name when reached at home on Monday evening, said that she and her husband were leaving the house when the assailants approached and told the victim "not to move." They did not ask for money, she said.
There was a struggle when the victim tried to wrestle the gun from his attacker, and he was shot in the face. Wounded, the victim ran to his home and was pursued by his attackers, where they fired another shot at the victim's 21-year-old daughter, but missed her.
After the melee, the two attackers fled on foot. The victim was taken to Nassau University Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition.
The victim's wife said that he may have some permanent damage to his face and could lose vision in one of his eyes.
As for motive, the police would not say if the assault was an attempted robbery, but the victim's wife speculated that the attack may have been a case of "mistaken identity" precipitated by a fight on the street the night before. Her husband was not involved in the fight, she said.
"It didn't have to happen," she said.
Police are searching for the pair, and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
