A gutsy Bronx bodega owner is defending himself against weapons charges after using a gun he says he found in his deli against a pair of masked armed robbers who were trying to stick up the place on Thanksgiving Day.

Jhony Gomez, who has operated Mi Gerizin Market in the borough’s Melrose district for 13 years, said he was shocked when he found a firearm abandoned in the restroom trash can early on Nov. 28 when he opened his store for business.

Gomez told supporters that he intended to turn the weapon over to authorities later in the day on his way to church.

He ended up using the gun instead.

“He acted in a moment of terror to protect his life, his customers and his employees from armed robbers,” said Fernando Mateo, a spokesman for the United Bodegas of America.

Fernando Mateo speaks to the press in response to Jhonny Gomez's recent charges against him for firing a weapon on two armed robbers in his bodega on Thanksgiving morning, outside Mi Gerizin Marketon on Elton Ave. in the Bronx, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)
Fernando Mateo speaks to the press on Wednesday about charges against Jhony Gomez for firing a gun at two armed robbers in Gomez’s Mi Gerizin Market bodega, on Elton Ave., in the Bronx, on Thanksgiving morning. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)

According to Mateo, two masked gunmen stormed into the bodega shortly after 9:15 a.m. demanding cash, telling everyone to go to the back of the store and lie on the floor.

Gomez told cops that, thinking quickly, he retrieved the gun he had found just a couple of hours earlier and fired several shots at the bandits, wounding one of them in the foot.

The bodega owner said he feared for his life and for the safety of the customers in the store. But now he’s telling supporters he’s afraid again — that justice won’t be served.

United Bodegas of America supporters are pictured outside of Mi Gerizin Market in the Bronx on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)
United Bodegas of America supporters are pictured outside Mi Gerizin Market in the Bronx on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)

According to officials, the wounded alleged robber was later arrested, treated and then released. Gomez, meanwhile, was in court Wednesday facing charges of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of ammunition.

“We don’t understand the system,” Mateo said. “The system is failing all New Yorkers, all of us. The fact that those robbers are free while Jhony is being prosecuted is an injustice that no New Yorker should tolerate.”

Mateo said Gomez opened his bodega at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

“A day when most people are home with their families, this man came to his bodega, opened it up,” he said.

Yhojeidy Gomez Rosa, the eldest daughter of Jhonny Gomez, speaks to the press in response to Gomez's recent charges against him for firing a weapon on two armed robbers in his bodega on Thanksgiving morning, outside Mi Gerizin Marketon on Elton Ave. in the Bronx, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)
In front of Mi Gerizin Market, in the Bronx, on Wednesday, Yhojeidy Gomez Rosa, the eldest daughter of Jhony Gomez, speaks to the press about her father being charged for firing a gun at two armed robbers who tried to rob his bodega on Thanksgiving morning. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)

While routinely checking out the bathroom, Gomez found a gun, Mateo said.

“He can’t close the store and run out when he’s busy,” he explained. “He holds the gun, hopefully, to return it later in the day to his police precinct on his way to church.”

Mateo said Gomez, who was working behind the counter at the time, used the gun because he feared for his life and the lives of his customers.

Gomez, a husband and father of four, surrendered to police on Tuesday.

Yhojeidy Gomez Rosa, the eldest daughter of Jhonny Gomez, speaks to the press in response to Gomez's recent charges against him for firing a weapon on two armed robbers in his bodega on Thanksgiving morning, outside Mi Gerizin Marketon on Elton Ave. in the Bronx, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)
Yhojeidy Gomez Rosa, the eldest daughter of Jhony Gomez, speaks in defense of her father after he was charged with firing a gun at armed robbers who stormed into into his Bronx bodega on Thanksgiving morning. (Shawn Inglima for New York Daily News)

“How do you go from being a hero to going to jail?” Mateo said. “The ones who are not criminals are the ones who are being persecuted. They are the ones being held accountable for the crimes other people commit.”

Mateo said he asked Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark to drop the charges against Gomez.

“He doesn’t deserve to be in jail,” Mateo said. “He deserves to get a proclamation from the mayor of the city of New York for saving lives.”

Originally Published: December 4, 2024 at 2:01 PM EST

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