On Friday, October 14, Javier Soto, 16, of Bay Shore, was indicted for shooting and seriously
injuring a man at a baby shower last month.
“A baby shower should be a joyous occasion celebrating the coming of new life, “ said Suffolk
County District Attorney Raymond A Tierney. “Here, the defendant allegedly risked lives and shot a party guest with an illegal firearm. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. However, someone was seriously hurt and now the defendant will face justice for his alleged senseless act.”
On September 3, Soto shot the expectant mother’s uncle, Vincent Peredaviz, 61, who was
also a guest at the party. While the party was being hosted in the backyard, a fight had broken
out in the front yard. Peredaviz, accompanied by the expectant mother’s parents, rushed to the front of the house where they saw another relative of theirs being physically assaulted by other party guests, one of which was Soto’s girlfriend. The guests then proceeded to break the fight up.
Soon after, Soto returned to the front yard and shot Peredaviz, of Astoria, twice at close range.
One bullet struck Peredaviz’s leg. He was rushed to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore and underwent emergency surgery.
Soto was arrested that same day. Soto was charged with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
Soto was held without bail by the Honorable Karen Kerr and is due back in court on November 14.
Joseph Hanshe, Esp. will be representing Soto. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Anne E. Davis of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.
