Hudson Valley Grandad Mistaken For Cop Shot At NY Restaurant

A Hudson Valley grandfather was shot by a total stranger while eating out with his children and grandchildren.

On Tuesday, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced a Wallkill man was sentenced for nearly killing a grandfather in front of a Town of Wallkill Restaurant in 2021.

Orange County, New York Grandfather Shot Outside Middletown, New York Restaurant With Family

Charles Miller of Walden was shot on April 14, 2021, around 9:15 p.m. outside of You You Asian Cuisine Restaurant.

Miller ate out at the Chinese restaurant prior to the shooting. Miller's wife, Marlenea, says Charles was shot by a "random stranger," while out to dinner with five of his children and two of his grandchildren. She adds the bullet hit his stomach, large intestine and small intestine before exiting his back on the right side.

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Miller says Charles is a father to six and a grandfather to eight. Two years ago he had surgery to remove his right kidney due to cancer.

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Police alleged Hector Luna Jr. of Wallkill, New York shot Miller because he thought Miller was a cop.

Luna was arrested in April of 2021 following a shooting outside of the You You Asian Restaurant and Bar, located at 465 Route 211, in the Town of Wallkill.

Luna was taken into custody at the Hampton Inn hotel located in Pike County, Pennsylvania,

In October 2022, Luna, 28, pleaded guilty in Orange County Court to assault in the first degree.

Wallkill Man Sentenced

On Tuesday, Luna was sentenced to 7.5 years in state prison to be followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

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“Violent crimes, such as those committed by this defendant, have significant and often life-long impact on crime victims,” Hoovler said. “This disposition spares the victim the additional trauma of reliving this horrific incident in front of a jury. As I have made clear, gun violence is a priority for my Office and will not be tolerated.”