NJ Pet Store Employee Shot In Face With Crossbow Just Weeks After Theft Of $7,000 African Gray Parrot

Just weeks after the theft of a $7,000 African gray parrot from a New Jersey pet store, an employee at the same store was shot in the face by a suspect wielding a crossbow, authorities said.

The Bergen County Prosecutors Office said in a statement that the Saddle Brook Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a seriously injured woman at Birds By Joe 2 in Saddle Brook at around 5:55 p.m. on Monday. Officers arrived to find a female employee had been shot in the face with a crossbow and the suspect had fled the scene.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, and was reported to be in stable condition.

The victim was also present during the theft of an African grey parrot on Jan. 23. A man entered the store at around 4 p.m. and asked to see the bird. When the employee brought the bird out in a small, portable cage for viewing, the suspect took the bird and fled.

Sister store Birds By Joe, located in nearby Green Brook Township, shared a surveillance video on Facebook showing the suspect, who was described as having “snatched” the birdcage out of the hands of an employee identified only as Katerina.

In that case, police said they identified the suspect as 24-year-old Onyx Calderon of Paterson. Although police quickly recovered the bird and returned it to Birds By Joe 2, they are still seeking Calderon.

On Monday, Birds By Joe 2 announced it was temporarily closed due to the shooting.

“Katarina is recovering and investigations are underway,” the store wrote on Facebook.

Authorities did not say whether investigators believe the theft and shooting are related. The case is being investigated by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and the Saddle Brook Police Department.