One in custody, another airlifted after shooting outside Tops in Waterloo

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Seneca Falls Police say a suspect is in custody following a shooting at Tops in Waterloo.

Jose Garcia-Vellen, 35, was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree assault.

Police say when officers arrived, they found a man in his vehicle with a gunshot wound to the face. Police determined the individual was shot following an argument in the parking lot.

The man was airlifted by Mercy Flight to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, and his condition is unknown.

Police say they believe the suspect and the man who was shot know each other.

“This has nothing to do with an active shooter that took place at Buffalo Tops a few years ago. This is an isolated incident. We believe these two individuals knew each other and may come from a past history with both of them,” Seneca Falls Police Chief Tim Snyder said.

Garcia is currently being held in the Seneca County Correctional Facility awaiting arraignment.

The incident remains under investigation and the store has since reopened after being temporarily closed.

Full statement from Tops representative Kathy Sautter:

Earlier Today, an incident involving an individual armed with a firearm took place outside of Tops located in Waterloo, NY. One person was taken to the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. The suspect is in police custody.

We are working in collaboration with law enforcement as part of their investigation. The store has reopened after being temporarily closed.

For more information about the incident, please contact local authorities.