Local Pet Store Owner Survives Crossbow Attack
Katarina Ruk, the co-owner of Birds by Joe 2 in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, found herself in a harrowing situation when a customer entered her pet store and shot her in the face with a crossbow without saying a word. The incident, which unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Monday, left Ruk reeling from the unexpected violence that shattered her sense of safety and security.
The Perpetrator and the Attack
The assailant, identified as Raymond Carey from Hasbrouck Heights, was a familiar face to Ruk, a regular customer who typically kept to himself during his visits to the store. However, on that fateful day, Carey’s demeanor took a sinister turn as he entered the shop carrying a small crossbow concealed in a bag. Ruk recounted the chilling moment when Carey, without warning, aimed the crossbow at her and pulled the trigger, intent on taking her life.
In a brave act of self-defense, Ruk managed to wrestle the crossbow out of Carey’s hands after he fired the bolt that struck her face, breaking several teeth in the process. Despite the excruciating pain and shock of the attack, Ruk summoned her strength to pull the arrow out of her mouth and flee the scene, seeking help from neighboring businesses.
The Aftermath and the Emotional Toll
Following the traumatic ordeal, Ruk displayed remarkable resilience by returning to work at the pet shop the next day and maintaining her routine despite the lingering fear and trauma. However, the psychological impact of the attack weighed heavily on Ruk and her co-owner, Joe Reilly, as they grappled with the decision of whether to sell the business they had nurtured for five years.
Reilly commended Ruk for her courage and fortitude in the face of adversity, acknowledging the physical and emotional challenges she had endured. Ruk’s candid account of the lasting effects of the attack revealed a profound sense of vulnerability and loss of peace of mind that threatened to upend their livelihood and sense of normalcy.
The Stolen Parrot and Ongoing Investigation
The crossbow attack was not the only blow to Birds by Joe 2, as the pet store had recently experienced the theft of a valuable parrot worth $7,000. While there was no immediate connection between the shooting and the theft, the overlapping incidents cast a shadow of uncertainty over the safety of the store and its owners.
Carey, who fled the scene in his car following the attack, was swiftly apprehended and charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and obstructing the administration of law. As the legal proceedings unfolded, Ruk and Reilly grappled with the aftermath of the attack and the prospect of closure looming over their cherished business.
In the face of adversity, Ruk’s unwavering spirit and determination to reclaim a sense of security underscored the resilience of a small business owner confronting the aftermath of a senseless act of violence. As the community rallied behind Ruk and Reilly in support, the enduring impact of the crossbow attack served as a testament to the strength and solidarity of those determined to rise above tragedy and rebuild their sense of safety and hope for the future.