Suffolk Reporter

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of Joaquin Orantes Franco, 42, from Brentwood, on charges including Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Reckless Endangerment. The charges stem from an alleged incident where Orantes Franco shot into a Central Islip home occupied by his girlfriend and her family after she declined to move in with him.

District Attorney Tierney emphasized the seriousness of the allegations: “The allegations in this case represent an egregious act of domestic violence that put innocent lives at risk,” he stated. “Our office takes acts of domestic violence extremely seriously, particularly those involving firearms and the endangerment of children.”

The investigation revealed that on October 20, 2024, the victim was visiting her parents' home in Central Islip with her two children. While inside with multiple family members, including at least five children, they heard a loud bang. It was discovered that a bullet had been fired through the downstairs area of the house, passing through several walls and narrowly missing an adult who was watching television.

Surveillance footage allegedly showed that the shot came from Orantes Franco’s truck before it drove away. Police later found both Orantes Franco and a loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine. A search of his truck uncovered additional ammunition evidence.

The pistol involved was determined to be unserialized following examination by authorities.