19-02-2025
Business owner on the mend after crossbow shooting, suspect in custody
SADDLE BROOK, N.J. (PIX11) — Police have arrested a man in connection to a business owner who was shot in the face with a crossbow at Birds By Joe 2 on Route 46.
Raymond M. Carey, 53, of Hasbrouck Heights was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon and charged with first-degree attempted murder.
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The incident happened around 5:55 p.m. Monday.
The victim, who is the owner of the business, was able to disarm the suspect after being shot, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. She sustained a broken tooth, among other facial injuries, and was rushed to the hospital.
The suspect reportedly fled in a vehicle that was parked outside of the business, officials said.
The victim's friend Denis Taskin, said the suspect is a regular customer at the store. 'She has no idea why he did it,' said Taskin. 'She said he comes here every other week to get seeds and other stuff, so we don't know why he did it.'
'She's doing better right now, but she's traumatized,' Taskin added.
Ryan Oracz, the manager of The Original Bike Shop, the business adjacent to the bird store, saw the immediate aftermath of the attack and called 911.
'Katarina had walked in – more like ran in – screaming 'help me,' said manager Ryan Oracz. 'I jumped up from around the corner, and looked down the aisle, blood coming from her mouth and she had something in her hands. She proceeds to hand me a crossbow.'
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Police were called to the store just two weeks ago after a customer stole a $7,000 African parrot. The parrot has safely been returned, but the person who stole it remains at large. It's unclear if the two incidents are connected, but the owner does not believe they are.
The biggest concern is the owner's safety moving forward.
'She is there alone, often,' said Oracz. 'I just hope they start bringing in a second hand, somebody there that's with her at all times because there have been recent events.'
Carey is in the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, pending an appearance in Bergen County Superior Court.
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