Man still in critical condition after shooting outside Waterloo Tops; Suspect charged

Shooting at Tops in Waterloo

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WATERLOO, N.Y. — A Geneva man, 47, is still in critical condition after he was shot in the face in the parking lot of Tops in Waterloo on Sunday afternoon.

The Town of Seneca Falls Police Department gave the most recent update around noon on Monday, saying they’re still investigating the shooting and have arrested a suspect.

Police responded Waterloo Tops around 2:50 p.m. on Sunday after getting a call for an active shooter in the parking lot. When they arrived, they found a man in a truck who was shot in the face. The 47-year-old was flown by Mercy Flight to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse.

The alleged suspect, 35-year-old Jose Garcia-Vellen, of Waterloo, has been charged with assault and is being held at the Seneca County Correctional Facility awaiting arraignment.

Police say he was taken into custody without incident. Police also said he had a gun that he put down before they arrived.

Police believe the two men knew each other and there is no threat to the community.

“We are working collaboratively with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation,” a Tops spokesperson said.

The store was temporarily closed following the shooting but has since reopened for business.

A shopper there said two older ladies and a guy came into the store, speaking Spanish, and acting hysterically. He said someone in the store who spoke Spanish talked to them. The shopper heard that someone was in an argument and got hurt, and maybe someone should call 911. He then heard someone yell gun before a shot rang out and he ran into the back of the store. He said police were on the scene within a couple of minutes.