Watch CBS News

Brooklyn Man Charged With Tossing Molotov Cocktail Into Bodega

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn man faces attempted-murder charges after police say he threw a Molotov cocktail inside a Brooklyn bodega, injuring a store clerk.

Charles Diaz, 35, of Brooklyn, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, arson and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with Wednesday's morning attack in Sunset Park, police said.

The incident happened at around 1:55 a.m. at a 24-hour mini-mart located at 3901 Fort Hamilton Pkwy.

The 34-year-old male store clerk suffered minor injuries after his hair and clothes caught fire, police said.

The clerk was in good condition and resting at home by Wednesday night, CBS 2 reported.

The suspect had walked into the store and started an argument with the clerk about an hour before the attack, authorities said.

The NYPD released chilling surveillance video from inside the store.

Fidel Perez told CBS 2's Lou Young that he heard the explosion from inside of the drink cooler and came out to find his coworker in flames. Neighbors said that they were shocked that the building didn't go up in flames.

"He didn't think twice about what he was doing. He didn't even consider anything, like people live upstairs. There's a lot of kids upstairs," Diana Soto said.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.