NJ pet-shop owner shot with crossbow says silent attacker meant to kill her

A Shocking Attack at Birds by Joe 2 Pet Shop in New Jersey

In a harrowing incident that has left the community in shock, Katarina Rukavishnikova, the co-owner of Birds by Joe 2 pet shop in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, was Shot in the face with a crossbow during an unprovoked attack on Monday evening. The perpetrator, identified as Raymond M. Carey of nearby Hasbrouck Heights, was a regular customer at the store. Despite his familiar presence, Carey’s actions on that fateful day were anything but ordinary. According to Rukavishnikova, he didn’t utter a single word before firing the crossbow at point-blank range, leaving her with severe injuries and a lasting sense of trauma.

The Attacker: A Regular Customer with a Sinister Intent

Raymond M. Carey, the man behind the shocking assault, was no stranger to Birds by Joe 2. He had been a regular at the shop, known for being quiet and reserved. Katarina Rukavishnikova described him as someone who would come in, purchase pet food, and leave without much interaction. However, on Monday evening, Carey’s behavior was markedly different. He entered the store with a small crossbow, mumbling incoherently as he walked toward the back. When Rukavishnikova approached him to clarify his needs, he pointed the crossbow at her and pulled the trigger. “His intent was to kill me, more than likely,” she recounted in an interview with NBC 4, her voice reflecting the unimaginable horror of the moment.

A Brave Struggle for Survival

The attack on Katarina Rukavishnikova could have easily been fatal, but her quick thinking and bravery may have saved her life. After being shot in the face, she managed to wrestle the crossbow out of Carey’s hands, despite her severe injuries. Security cameras from a neighboring business captured the chilling moment when both Rukavishnikova and Carey ran out of the shop. In the aftermath of the attack, Rukavishnikova pulled the arrow out of her mouth and ran screaming for help. “I don’t know if it was jammed or he was trying to reload it,” she said, recounting the chaotic moments. Her courage in the face of such violence is a testament to her resilience.

The Aftermath: Physical and Emotional Scars

The attack has left Katarina Rukavishnikova with more than just physical injuries. She sustained a couple of broken upper and lower teeth, some of which still need to be removed. Despite her brave exterior, the emotional toll of the incident is evident. “I’m constantly shaking, looking over my shoulder. Everywhere I go, I’m looking around,” she admitted. The fear has been so overwhelming that she and her co-owner, Joe Reilly, are now considering closing the shop. “He has taken peace of mind from me,” she said, her words echoing the profound impact of the attack on her life.

A Troubling Pattern: Previous Theft at the Shop

Unfortunately, this was not the first time Birds by Joe 2 had been targeted. In late January, a brazen thief made off with a $7,000 parrot during a daylight robbery. The suspect, identified as Onyx Calderon of Paterson, had asked to see the expensive African Grey parrot before fleeing with it. Thankfully, the bird was later recovered at a Paterson home following a tip. However, the combination of this theft and the recent crossbow attack has left Katarina Rukavishnikova and her team on edge. These events have highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by small businesses and the unpredictable nature of human behavior.

Justice Served, but the Scars Remain

Raymond M. Carey was apprehended by local and federal authorities the day after the attack in a small Jersey Shore town near Toms River. He has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, among other offenses, and is currently imprisoned in Bergen County Jail in Hackensack. While justice is being sought, the scars of the attack—both physical and emotional—will linger for Katarina Rukavishnikova. Her story is a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of human actions. As she navigates the road to recovery, her courage and resilience inspire hope, even in the face of such darkness.