Home | Northeast Times | Tacony deli owners won't shut down after shooting

Tacony deli owners won't shut down after shooting

By William Kenny 02/06/2013 2:02 pm

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Anna's Deli, on the corner of Princeton Avenue and Jackson Street, where owner John Jukic fatally shot an alleged robber last night. WILLIAM KENNY / TIMES PHOTO

John and Anna Jukic will never forget their life-or-death struggle with an armed robber on Feb. 5. A bullet hole in the stairwell of their Tacony delicatessen will serve as perhaps their most visible daily reminder.

The husband and wife said they have no plans to shut down Anna’s Deli, on the corner of Princeton Avenue and Jackson Street, in the aftermath of a shootout that left a purported hoodlum dead and the couple praising the neighborhood they call home.

“I opened up today out of spite to show I’m here and I’m gonna be here,” John Jukic told the Northeast Times last Wednesday morning. “I love the neighborhood and they love me. I’m not going to go nowhere.”

Shortly before 6 p.m. the previous night, a 19-year-old with a gun entered the business and ordered some lunchmeat. John Jukic was behind the deli counter, but went to the rear of the shop to ask Anna to slice the meat.

John Jukic stayed in the back only momentarily.

“I heard the slicer and [Anna] screaming. I knew it was something bad,” he said.

John Jukic, 55, grabbed his 9-millimeter pistol from the back room and re-emerged into the main portion of the store. The robber had jumped behind the counter, grabbed 54-year-old Anna and pulled her toward the cash register.

“I came out and he took a shot at me. I shot back at him,” John Jukic said.

The robber, who also had a 9-millimeter pistol according to police, missed Jukic, who isn’t sure how many shots were fired.

“It happened so fast,” he said. “I think he got off a couple. I got off a couple, too.”

Jukic didn’t miss. His shot wounded the intruder in the chest. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene at 6:22 p.m., police said.

Police have not released the name of the alleged robber. John Jukic said he had never seen the young man before. Police have recovered both guns and are investigating the legal statuses of both. No criminal charges have been filed.

“I don’t feel good about it. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for twenty years. My children and grandchildren come here,” John Jukic said.

Business was brisk on the morning after the shooting as regular customers lingered in the deli chatting about the prior evening’s events.

“Nowadays nothing surprises me. It’s a shame to say it, but that’s the truth,” said neighbor James Miller, 71. “[But] you always think it happens somewhere else, not so close. ... What are [they] supposed to do, close as soon as the sun goes down?”

Miller is glad to see the deli open for business.

“I come over here every day to get something to eat. They’re great neighbors and great people to deal with,” he said. “I’m happy they’re both OK.” ••

Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or wkenny@bsmphilly.com

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Comments (7 posted)

Tom 02/16/2013 9:09 pm

It's a disgrace that this wannabee punks name has never been released, yet all of the media has had no problem releasing the names of the honest working storeowners from day one. What gives? Is he connected to some politician or police officer? Time to give up the real facts if you expect to be treated as a real news source.

Gerard C. Beaucheane Sr. 02/11/2013 5:05 pm

I used to go into that store lots of times in the 60s. Neighborhood's changed but I salute store owner for defending his 'castle' When good people give up their guns only the bad guys will have 'em!

Howard R Singer 02/10/2013 12:12 am

The cops need to return Mr Jukic's gun. The family of thief needs to pay him for the bullit and damage.

Mike 02/08/2013 12:12 pm

Great story, Bill. Unfortunately, the only thing that will stop crime is a lot of dead criminals laying on the floor of delis across Philly. If that's what it takes, so be it.

kathleen 02/07/2013 4:04 pm

You know, it's almost amazing that in EVERY article I have read about this story, that the name of the dead creep who perpetrated this crime is never even mentioned. Why? We know the names and addresses of the victims. We know the gun sizes, the amount of shots fired, the location of the people in the store.......why, in all this information, is the name of the dead scumbag or his address never revealed? Maybe we could find out if he had a rough childhood, or somebody called him a name or hurt his feelings when he was 3.......whatever. The liberal, complicit, press no longer reports the news...they create their own version. They should be ashamed. May God be with these store owners.

gs425 02/07/2013 6:06 am

Take note, the owner of the store would be dead right now if left up to liberals. The thief would be the only one with the gun. Elections have consequences. Your right to life and the ability to defend it are one of them.

CC 02/06/2013 4:04 pm

I don't shop there because I have a deli that is closer to my home. But i'm sure they won't mind if I stop by and do some of my business there to support this neighbor. Mr. Kenny I did see your front page NE Times article describing gun owners in such a sterotypical manner that I think you are definetly biased ...how about following up on this story Mr. Kenny? Do you have any interest in helping our community by looking into the orgins of the Purported Hoodlums 9MM. Who is this gun orginally registered to? How did PH get it? and...does PH have a record? i'm sure at 19 it may not show much because he only got off the juvy list a year ago. Mr. Jukic, this is a terrible ordeal you had to go through and i'm glad you and your wife were not injured, I'm sure this is going to cause you to suffer some stress but thank you for removing a killer and terrorist from our midst.