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A California man suspected of molesting a boy under the age of 14 was shot and killed by police on a busy New York City street just days after he appeared on the CNN show The Hunt With John Walsh, which highlights criminal cases involving fugitives.
Charles Richard Mozdir, 32, had managed to escape justice for two years. Police say they believe he had a "good fake ID," was living on cash, and had changed his appearance several times within the last few years. They had just about given up on searching for him when one police officer noticed the man in a smoke shop in the popular Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. He called for backup, which resulted in a deadly shootout on the street that left Mozdir dead and several officers wounded.
After the episode about Mozdir aired on television, police say they began receiving several tips about his whereabouts. Just eight days later, he was discovered at the store. Mozdir was alone and reportedly armed with a handgun and 20 extra rounds of ammunition. Police say the suspect fired at cops within close range, which led them to return fire.
Mozdir was shot dead. A detective was reportedly shot twice in the stomach and chest and two more officers were also wounded by the suspect.
Mozdir, a former wedding photographer, was charged with child sexual assault charges and attempting to dissuade a witness from prosecution. Police say he posted $250,000 bail and then skipped town. A $1 million bench warrant was issued for his arrest. It was later discovered that he may have abused the boy while babysitting him. Police also reportedly found evidence of child pornography and bestiality on his phone and computers.
I can't help but feel sorry for the victim's family because this man -- assuming he is guilty, since he never stood before a judge -- was not forced to face the consequences of his actions with a lengthy prison term. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for the officers who were wounded in this incident and some closure for the boy and his family.
If you were the victim's parents, how do you think you would feel about what happened here?
Image via vincent desjardins/Flickr
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