Last Wednesday at approximately 9:18 p.m., Town of Wallkill police officers responded to a report of an assault with a weapon in front of You You Asian Cuisine in the Town of Wallkill. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, Charles Miller, 48, of Walden suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Investigators quickly identified a suspect, Hector Luna, a 27-year-old Town of Wallkill resident, as the assailant. Robert Hertman, Town of Wallkill chief of police, noted in a press conference last Thursday that the shot was fired from a small caliber handgun. He added that based on evidence obtained at the scene it is believed that Luna shot Miller because he thought he was a police officer.

Throughout the night and into the day on Thursday, April 15, Town of Wallkill police detectives and their law enforcement partners pursued leads and tips. At approximately 9:55 p.m. that evening, Town of Wallkill police detectives with the assistance of the FBI and the New York State Police apprehended the defendant at the Hampton Inn in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.

“Here from the onset, there was a shared sense of urgency to apprehend the suspect who committed a senseless act of violence against a member of our community who was simply out enjoying dinner with his family in one of our town’s restaurants,” Hertman said. “Throughout the investigation, all the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors worked cohesively to bring a just and swift conclusion to this investigation.”

Luna was subsequently booked into the Pike County Jail and is awaiting extradition to New York where he will face criminal charges for first degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. According to David Hoovler, Orange County district attorney, Luna could stay at Pike County Jail anywhere from a few weeks to six months. Hoovler added that first degree assault is punishable up to 25 years in prison while criminal possession of a weapon is punishable up to 15 years. Those sentences could be enhanced depending on the defendant’s record. Attorney Kelle Grimmer will handle the case.

“Despite the fact that someone is under arrest, despite here that we’re talking under our system, the defendant is still innocent until proven guilty,” Hoovler said.

Frank DenDanto III, Wallkill town supervisor, thanked the law enforcement agencies for their hard work regarding the investigation.

“When we have senseless acts of violence in our community, these things make us feel tense and uptight as residents in the area,” he said. “I have to commend the police department and the partnerships that we have because it’s those things that make us feel safe.”

Charles Miller is in serious condition at Garnet Health Medical Center. His wife Marlenea has organized a GoFundMe page to raise money for her husband’s medical expenses. As of Sunday evening, $6,140 had been gathered.