Christopher Quijano, a 19-year-old resident of 162A Plainview Drive in Palm Coast, is at the Flagler County jail on a series of charges after allegedly pistol-whipping a man and firing a gun in the Target parking lot in front of Ross, the department store, Saturday night.
The incident involved Quijano and five other people, including Matthew Bauman, a 22-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s Z Section. According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, all six people were inside Ross when Quijano began talking disrespectfully at his girlfriend and yelling at her. Bauman told him he needed to watch how he spoke to his girlfriend. Quijano told Bauman to mind his own business.
When the group was back in the parking lot, Bauman approached Quijano and the confrontation reignited, according to the arrest report. Bauman told deputies that Quijano said something about a gun, then allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband, “prepared the handgun to fire” by putting a round in the chamber, and pistol-whipped Bauman on the right cheek and ear, causing two large lacerations and a significant amount of bleeding. At some point during the confrontation Quijano allegedly fired a round, which struck the vehicle one of the six people, Emmanual Abreus, was driving.
Quijano then allegedly fled the scene Austin Keen’s vehicle. Keen had also been part of the group. Keen later told deputies that Quijano told him he’d only meant to pistol-whip Bauman, and that while he’d merely “thought” about shooting him, the gun went off accidentally.
Keen, according to the report, “told detectives that he asked [Quijano] what he would have done had he actually shot [Bauman] instead of the round missing, and Quijano told him he would have stolen a vehicle and fled the area as quickly as possible.”
The initial 911 call had indicated the possibility of a robbery, but that had not been the case. The incident developed around 9 p.m., when there were still many people in the shopping center. It drew a lot of attention and concern.
Quijano was arrested at 10:40 p.m. at 5 Colony Court in Palm Coast. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and discharge of a firearm in public. He’s being held on $100,000 bond.
“He is lucky that no one was killed when he fired a round in a shopping center parking lot,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This young man is no stranger to law enforcement and at just 19 years old, he needs to turn his life around.” The sheriff commended the work of deputies and detectives who tracked down Quijano and jailed him.
Quijano has had several arrests. He was found guilty of grand theft two years ago after stealing a car but adjudication was withheld. He was placed on community control probation, but that was revoked earlier this year after a violation of community control, and he had to serve six months in jail, which he did until last March 9 (he had three months’ jail credit when the additional sentence was imposed).
Born and Raised Here says
Sounds like one of those criminal immigrants that our President wants to deport.
hawkeye says
As a law abiding gun owner, I will be the first to say that this guy should never ,ever, be allowed to own a firearm.
Flatsflyer says
Seems like several other charges should have been made, 19 year old can’t have a handgun, pulling a weapon from a waistband means it was concealed, as convicted felon he should not have any weapon or ammo. Wonder who the arrest was made by and why weren’t more charges made?
Eileen Araujo says
Obviously the gun was not legally owned, which makes it doubtful that he belonged to the NRA…hmm..who should we blame this incident on. Here’s a thought…blame it on the thug, the bad guy, and yes, he’s bad. Lock him up and throw away the key before he escalates to the next level. Don’t wait for some one to get killed.
Anonymous says
This is why Trump wants to stop undocumented people in this country!! This man needs to be deported if he’s not a citizen and if he returns, put to death. He’s going to kill some one yet. The girl he calls his girl friend must not be too smart or likes being mistreated to have a boyfriend like this. Give him 20 years and then deport him—-keep him off our streets!!!!!!
Really says
We as the voting public demand him to be put away for good. He is immature gangster mind set and should be treated as the legal adult felon criminal he is. He deserves more charges and a long jail sentence bye bye thug wanna be.
Concerned Citizen says
1.) The sole responsible party for this incident is the individual that decided he was a too much of a coward and needed a gun to make a point. Nothing political here.
2.) Why isn’t Law Enforcement following up on these type of incidents and filing more charges along with the initial ones? If a felon is caught with a fire arm he should be charged accordingly. There is also the issue of carrying illegally concealed.
Hopefully there won’t be any adjudication or probation this time.
Really says
One more thing,,, one earns respect by their actions and in this situation hes gettin what he deserves and it aint respect homey
Jason H says
Thats a very ignorant comment to post. Last time I checked there are more white people incarcerated in flagler county than hispanics, just saying.
Richard says
A future MS-13 member in the making! Life without parole wouldn’t be long enough for me.
Lou says
Do you know what “putting him away” means regarding cost?
Perhaps the law abinding people should be in and criminals outside supporting us inside.
Anonymous says
This is a classic example of people not minding their own business.
Anonymous says
For all those kkk white supremacist racists .should do more research and then come to a conclusion on your stupid. Response,immigrant really Shame. On you
Nancy N. says
Born and Raised Here – Check yourself, your racism is showing. Having a Hispanic last name doesn’t make someone a non-citizen.
Mark says
Let me guess, gang related activity.
educateyourselves says
@FlatsFlyer A person under the age of 21 CAN own a handgun, so as long as it was a gift or passed down through family. What you’re thinking of is the law stating an under-21 can not BUY a handgun, or carry a handgun. Anyways, lock this POS up and lose the key, please.
Anonymous says
This kid has been trouble since I knew him at like 14/15.
Robbing cars, fighting everyday, robbing people at the park, selling weed to kids, doing coke. Ugh. He needs to be locked away for at least 15 years
Ready says
America wake the hell up, you can pass all the gun laws you can think of and indicate that justice will be served when the law is broken but as with this case and many many others as soon as those who commit crimes along with the general public you will NEVER EVER stop them from getting guns and committing crimes. What is learned in jail, prison whatever the case is they sharpen their skills on how to get away with crimes they intend on committing once released, reference this mans past!!
Daphne says
I hope the girlfriend wakes the hell up and leaves this piece of crap non-man. So the good sam get stuff pistol whipped for trying to do the right thing and stand up to a bully. That’s just sad. This thug should serve very long jail time. There’s no rehabilitation for criminals like this.
Bill says
Is it the Sheriffs office that “charges” such a criminal or is it the State attorneys office that does that??? I think its the job of the sheriff to make the arrest and the job of the DA to bring forth ALL charges.
Hayride says
WHY aren’t people with a history of crime and behavioral problems rounded up and inprisoned when its obviously they can not function safely in society
Hayride says
Disrespect. Heck tell this guy tough shit
Jim O says
“Hopefully there won’t be any adjudication or probation this time.”
There always is….. This punk needs to be locked up and think about the rest of his life and what he wants it to be. This crap happening in our shopping areas or for that matter anywhere is unacceptable. Lock these guys up.
Outsider says
For once, I agree with Flatsflyer. He should be charged with illegally carrying a concealed firearm as he is not old enough to have a CCW license. I’m sure the State Attorney will have the option to add charges as the event is investigated further. We went to Target a little while after this happened. Of course, we can always rely on Flagler Live to keep us informed.
Just The Truth says
What street gang does this punk belong to? Get him off the streets.
lenamarshall says
Hardly, this boy came from New York City born and raised there and brought here byhis parents.
Anonymous says
P-section again–What is it with that part of town?
Dave says
Ready, where did it say this man used an illegal gun? The gun he had was purchased legally, so if we had stricter gun laws a person with his background couldn’t have obtained this weapon, also our county doesn’t put enough funding to help these people once they are locked up. We need more services for people in trouble in our county and stricter gun laws and background checks.
Anonymous says
The Orlando creep continues.
mark101 says
Maybe just maybe he will piss off someone that will not take his BS.
Yellowstone says
“The only way to take care of a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun” is what ‘they’ say.
Palm Coast should issue a gun to every resident. Let’s take care things ourselves!
RP says
The youth of today are all cowards, but not only cowards but idiotic enough to shoot someone over something so trivial.
What ever happened to the days of a good old fist fight, oh thats right the youth is to scared and to SOFT to fight with their hands.
I got another great word for them starts like this what a bunch of P******
This is why they also are also found in groups “gangs” because alone, one on one, and they are nothing. Reminds me of this one kid who ran his mouth to me when he was surrounded by his boys, after 3-4 yrs i have managed to get my hands on them one by one, when they don’t have their group with them. And lets just say I showed them each how a real man handles his business.
Soft………
Outsider says
Dave, this punk was carrying a concealed weapon illegally. He broke that law so why would he obey any others? Maybe they should send him back to New York. Like the Karate Kid said, palm trees aren’t gonna fix your screwed up life.
Trailer Bob says
In a righteous world, this loser punk would be removed from society. All the talk about who pays for it while he is in prison…hell, we are probably already paying for his existence via welfare.
Nancy N says
omg my head hurts from reading the comments on this article. This young man appears to have committed a serious crime and needs to get his life turned around but many of the people here are just as morally decrepit with the bigotry they are putting on display.
Hayride says
No, people like this don’t turn their lives around, he does not belong in society, and has proved it
Dave says
Yes outsider he concealed carried it which I believe we should also do away with altogether. This is jus one of many circumstances people carrying a concealed weapon can loose their head. Lisenced or not it’s our lax gun restrictions that allow him to posses it in the first place.it wasnt stolen, it was a completely legal gun, did he own it? Did the owner not have it locked away? Just do away with these pointless guns already, they do nothing but make the weak feel powerful and the fearful feel safe. All the rest of us are stuck in the middle between the two.
Born and Raised Here says
@Nancy N say: Committing a crime does.
Really says
Just a waste of energy even discussing this POS
John Dolan esq. says
The Rife of the Shire Mr. Staley should recruit this guY for the detective div. He could be the dirty harry of Flagler, rounding up bad guys and making their day. Live PD could film it all and put flagler in the $$$$$$$$$$$.
Maiden says
*Just because you have a Hispanic last name does not mean you’re an illegal.
*Not all crimes lead to life in prison
*Hes still young enough to turn his life around
*Charge him with the obvious infractions but no more
* All You Anonymous posters need to sign your name otherwise you’re just a bunch of internet trolls
Jon says
$100 bond a d slap on wrist for this illegal
Really says
Oh OK “Maiden” lol
Ariana386 says
All u screaming for him to be “deported” need to sit your behinds down somewhere… He is a citizen. If he wasn’t, he would have ALREADY been deported! ICE comes to see everybody in jail/prison… if u aren’t on the list to be here, guess what? You don’t GET to be here.
Tom Davies says
did you notice people don’t read or comprehend what they read, and then form an opinion
Ready says
Dave did I mention anything about a illegal gun??
Really says
Found your gun ooooops bye bye