Commish: Harlem Shop Owner "Had The Right To Defend Himself," His Employees

Photograph of Charles "Gus" Augusto by David Karp/AP

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly spoke about the Harlem shop owner who fired at four armed men trying to rob him and beating one of his employees, killing two of the suspects and injuring the other two. Kelly said of 72-year-old Charles "Gus" Augusto, "He certainly had a right under the law to defend himself, defend his co-workers. It looks like his co-worker could have been seriously injured or perhaps killed."

Augusto had purchased the 12-gauge pump-action shotgun 20 years ago, after a previous robbery at his restaurant supply store. He's told the press that he's no hero—"I would have felt like a hero if I could have talked that kid into going home"— and lamented the outcome, "How would you feel? This is terrible. This is really awful. I can't imagine it. Some young kids are dead because they're stupid."

In this interview, Augusto mentions his sadness that there were parents without children and notes how one of his son killed himself with a gun:

The shotgun was registered, but Augusto did not have a permit for it; the police say permits are not required for shotguns. Kelly said, "I know he took no pleasure in this thing. It was the toughest day of his life... No one could take pleasure in taking a life, but all indications are he acted pursuant to New York penal law."

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By Jen Chung in News on August 16, 2009 11:24 AM

Comments [rss]

sexisicilian

Mr. Augusto for Mayor, a few less low-lives on the streets of NYC:)

dadoc

Feel bad for Gus. After everything the man's been thru in life, having to be in this position. May the poor guy have some peace.

On the other hand, how about pics, side-by-side, of the dude who caught that round to the face. Smiling graduation pic on the left, close up slab ME pic on the right. "This is you before you do the crime. This is you after". Post 'em in the projects, HRA, SS, probation & other entitlement offices around town. If Bloomie forces the "consequences of smoking" pics on us (missing digits, laryngectomies, diseased lungs), maybe kids can see what being a gansta is really all about. I'm sure if the perp lost his face though smoking, Bloomie would be rubbing our noses in it. But losing it in trying to rob and/or kill an honest, hard-working gentleman, oh no, too graphic. BS.

inoyourider

Dude, that is an awesome point.

PTG in nyc

Augusto for Sheriff! As has been previously noted, it's a lot cheaper to the taxpayers for these scumbags to get shot rather than imprisoned.

Kim Bong Ill

Disagree. I'm a pretty sensitive guy, but I'd be only happy to shoot those bastards in self-defense given the chance.

dr zippy

No, no you wouldn't be happy. It's easy to be a tough-talking, remorseless dude on the Internet but if you're any sort of decent human you'd be going through the same sort of anguish that Mr. Augusto is experiencing.

Kim Bong Ill

It's easy to be a bleeding heart, weeping for the dregs of humanity on the internet, but I bet your hobbies are strangling kittens and beating your wife.

Yes, they deserved to die, and I hope they burn in hell.

Mr Mel

If that's what it takes to make you happy, you need some guidance.

Pålægpåtoppenafsmørrebrød

He did what he had to do, but he's no hero. He's more of a tragic hero, considering his employees are grateful they're alive, however now he has to deal with the aftermath and trauma of killing two people (If you don't feel remorse after you've killed someone, you just don't have a soul, even if he tried to kill you, and he felt that remorse).

inoyourider

I feel sorry that he feels bad.

Those scumbags got what they deserved. Fuck'em.

JacqueMehoff

I support Mr. Augusto just like I supported the LI homeowner who had a bunch of crazy kids looking for his son because they thought his son was saying something to a girl.