Three people suffer gunshot wounds in separate New Year’s incidents

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Three people suffered gunshot wounds in two separate incidents in Youngstown early New Year’s Day, and all three were in stable condition shortly afterward in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Hector L. Torres, 38, of Boardman was shot in the chest and knee while attending a party in the 100 block of South Jackson Street at 2:45 a.m. Thursday.

Torres said he was intoxicated while attending a party at his girlfriend’s family’s home and heard a loud argument outside and rushed out to see what was happening.

As he exited the residence, he heard gunshots and fell, then realized he was hit in the chest and leg. He said he was too drunk to give a description of the shooter.

A detective went to the Jackson address and didn’t find any evidence of a shooting.

Meanwhile, Juan G. Baez Rodriguez, 23, of Bassett Lane, was arrested at St. Elizabeth Youngs-town Hospital and charged with three counts of felonious assault after he was accused of shooting a man and woman at the Mi Raza Bar, 1442 Oak St., early Thursday.

Police interviewed two witnesses who said they were pulling into the bar parking lot at an unspecified time early Thursday when Baez Rodriguez pulled out a handgun and shot the car they were driving several times.

The shots struck Lucila Bonila, who was in the back seat, through the biceps. Dennis Viera Sr. was shot through the chest as he stood in the parking lot and was rushed to the hospital, police said.

While police were interviewing the two witnesses at 5:13 a.m., they noticed Baez Rodriguez in the hospital, and officers took him into custody.

Police said both victims were in stable condition.