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WILKES-BARRE — A teenager shot a man in the face after robbing him of $500 in cash inside a car earlier this month, according to police.
Idris Khairi, 17, of Jones Street, knew the man he robbed because he got rides from him several times previously, officers report.
Khairi also knew the victim, Enarking Salazar-Torres, was carrying a wad of cash because the teen saw Salazar-Torres take out money to pay for something at a deli, court records state.
Here are more details from a criminal complaint:
Police were called to the area of 16 Mayer St. just after 7 p.m. June 17 for a reported shooting, followed by a second report of a gunshot victim at a business a short distance away on Blackman Street.
On Mayer Street, officers found a silver Acura MDX with the engine running and the doors open. They also observed blood on the exterior of the driver’s-side door.
A trail of blood led to a nearby business, where police located Salazar-Torres.
He suffered gunshot wounds to his head, face and chest. He was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center’s trauma center for emergency treatment.
At the hospital, Salazar-Torres told police he was at the Lehigh Deli at Lehigh Street and Park Avenue when he took out a roll of money to make a purchase. While in the store, Salazar-Torres encountered Khairi, who asked for a ride, as he’s done before.
The pair then left the store and drove toward Blackman Street, when Khairi pulled out a small handgun, pointed it at Salazar-Torres, and demanded the cash. Salazar-Torres told police he laughed, thinking it was a joke. But Khairi replied: “I’m not playing.” Salazar-Torres said the next thing he remembered was “everything went black” and his vehicle striking something.
Salazar-Torres later identified Khairi in a photo lineup.
The incident occurred during a wild Saturday in the city, featuring three gunplay incidents in about an eight-hour span.
Khairi is charged with aggravated assault, robbery, firearms not to be carried without a license and recklessly endangering another person.
He was arraigned on the charges before District Judge Rick Cronauer on Monday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Cronauer at 11 a.m. July 3.
Khairi is at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $250,000 bail.