Man Fired Gun at Mechanic Shop After He Was Fired: Police

A 32-year-old Valley Stream man fired a gun at an auto repair shop, nearly striking an employee in the head, after he was fired from his job as a mechanic on Monday afternoon, police said.

According to detectives, Christopher Hicks, 32, of N. Corona Avenue in Valley Stream, became enraged after he was fired from his job at County Truck and Auto, located at 140 E. Merrick Road. At about 3:27 p.m., Hicks picked up a muffler and threw it at a vehicle that was being worked on in the shop, causing an estimated $3,000 in damage to the car, police said.

Hicks then exited the shop and went to his car, where he retrieved a handgun, returned to the shop and fired two gunshots into the open bay doors where several employees were working, almost striking one employee in the head, police said.

Photo/Google Maps/The incident occurred at this auto repair shop in Valley Stream.

Hicks then fled the scene in his car, police said. No injuries were reported.

Police located Hicks a short time later at his home, where he was placed under arrest, police said. He is charged with first degree assault (attempt), second degree criminal possession of weapon, first degree reckless endangerment and two counts of second degree criminal mischief. He is due to be arraigned on Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead.