NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A former Coney Island amusement park employee was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Wednesday for shooting a co-worker in the chest two years ago, prosecutors said.
Joseph Colon, 38, shot his co-worker in the chest while arguing over customers and profits on Sept. 10, 2021, at Luna Park.
Colon was working at Jumbo Prizes when the victim arrived for work. Colon took a "tactical position" behind a booth, drew his handgun and fired at the victim's chest, prosecutors said.
Colon then allegedly left the booth and ran after the victim before fleeing down Bowery Street.
The victim collapsed near the intersection of Stillwell and Mermaid avenues.
He was taken to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn and treated for a gunshot wound to the chest.
According to surveillance footage on Stillwell Avenue, Colon removed his camouflage hoodie before walking into Nathan's Famous where he tossed it in the garbage, prosecutors said.
He then got into a vehicle and went to his apartment in Brooklyn. From there, according to the prosecutors, Colon ran away to Temple, Pennsylvania, where a relative lived.
The hoodie was later found and tested for DNA that matched Colon.
The victim was hospitalized for approximately a week before being released.
Colon was extradited back to New York by the United States Marshals Service and the NYPD's Regional Fugitive Task Force.
"The shocking level of violence displayed at Coney Island's iconic Luna Park is unacceptable and has no place in our community," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "This sentencing reflects our commitment to holding individuals accountable for gun violence and ensuring the safety of Brooklyn's residents and visitors alike."
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
