By Andrew Coen
As of press time, John Henry Romano Jr. of Far Rockaway was reported in critical but stable condition, three days after he was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle during a home invasion at 47 West End Ave., where John was visiting his cousin, according to police. The boy underwent hours of surgery on Sunday and was taken off life support, officials said.
A 22-year-old man from Far Rockaway, who was also visiting but was not identified by police, was also shot during what was described as an attempted robbery. Detectives said the 22-year-old's injuries were not life-threatening. All told, 10 people - eight adults and two children - were in the house at the time, police said.
Nassau County Homicide Squad Detective Lt. Dennis Farrell said at a Monday-afternoon press conference that one of the three suspects who stormed into the home at 11:10 p.m. on Sept. 23, armed with at least two handguns and demanding cash and jewelry, was also wounded. Detectives said they had identified the suspect, who checked himself into a Brooklyn hospital after the gun battle. Farrell said detectives contacted every hospital on Long Island, including Brooklyn and Queens, before finding the suspect, whom they linked to physical evidence recovered from the Inwood home.
"There is no doubt that he was there," said Farrell, who would not give details about the evidence but said that the suspect checked himself into the hospital about 45 minutes after the incident.
Detectives would not release the suspect's name or the hospital where he was treated, saying only that he had been arrested by New York City police for an unrelated crime. Farrell said the suspect had suffered bullet wounds to the face, leg and hand during the attempted robbery, from which the intruders fled empty-handed. Detectives continued their search for two other men they said were involved, Farrell said.
Farrell explained that upon learning that his home was being invaded, the homeowner, a licensed pistol owner, engaged in a gun battle with the three suspects. In the crossfire, the two visitors and one suspect were hit. "Pretty much bedlam broke out," Farrell said.
Police would not identify the gun-toting resident except to say that he is a former truck driver who is currently unemployed. His daughter's boyfriend is a cousin of the injured boy, according to Farrell. The boy's relatives could not be reached for comment.
John Romano was transported to St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway in what police described as "extremely critical condition," and was subsequently transferred to the Schneider Children's Hospital wing of Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park. The 22-year-old was transported to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, where he was admitted for treatment of a gunshot wound in the arm but is expected to make a full recovery, according to police.
Farrell said that whether or not the boy survives, his life will be forever altered. "We have a 9-year-old that is never going to be the same if he survives this," he said.
Detectives said the three suspects fled in a getaway car, most likely down Loretta Street, which borders West End Avenue, where a trail of blood trail was left by the wounded suspect. Farrell said that detectives spent hours in the neighborhood, interviewing residents in the hope that someone witnessed the escape.
News of the incident shocked neighbors, who said the street is normally quiet. "People are quiet, mind their own business," said Mavis Thompson, a 16-year resident who lives two houses away from the scene of the shooting. "I have no problems on this street."
Alba Geron, who has lived on West End Avenue for a year, said she was sound asleep when the home invasion occurred and did not learn of the incident until the following morning. "I was very surprised," Geron said.
Detectives request that anyone with information regarding the crime contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
