BOSTON — A restaurant owner accused of opening fire on a man outside of a popular pastry shop in Boston’s North End was deemed dangerous by a judge Wednesday and ordered held behind bars for at least 120 days while his court proceedings play out.
Patrick Mendoza, the co-owner of Monica’s Trattoria in the North End, fired a gun at another man on July 12 outside Modern Pastry on Hanover Street, according to Boston police.
Mendoza, 54, was arrested in Falmouth on Friday and has been held behind bars since his initial arraignment.
Mendoza returned to court Wednesday for a dangerousness hearing, where prosecutors argued that he needs to remain in custody because there is no safety net that will keep him from going after the shooting victim again. The defense argued that Mendoza needs to support his family and that he is not a danger to the public.
Boston Municipal Court Judge Paul Tresler ultimately ordered Mendoza held without bail after ruling he was a danger to society.
“A dangerousness hearing is an appropriate action here, given this individual’s extraordinarily reckless decision to send bullets flying on a city street, in this case, a street packed with restaurants and bustling with diners and tourists,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. “It’s very lucky that no one was injured or worse by his reprehensible conduct.”
This comes after the Boston Licensing Board voted unanimously to suspend Monica’s Trattoria’s food and liquor licenses on Tuesday, essentially shutting the business down.
Those licenses won’t be reinstated - and the restaurant cannot serve food or liquor - until the board approves a new manager.
“This is a very heavily regulated industry and you simply must have a manager on record,” said Board Commissioner Keeana Saxon. “You have to cross the Ts and you have to dot the Is.”
Mendoza is facing several charges including assault by means of a dangerous weapon (gun), assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery. He stood behind a door, hiding his face during his arraignment Friday.
Prosecutors said Mendoza, who was riding a bike when the shots rang out, was specifically targeting a man who lives above Modern Pastry who he has allegedly feuded with for decades.
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“He fired multiple shots at this individual, stating, ‘It’s going to be quick. I’m going to kill you,’” Suffolk County Assistant District Daniel Nucci said of Mendoza.
Mendoza received a probation sentence in December 2022 for assault with a dangerous weapon involving the same victim. On the day of the shooting, Mendoza appeared at a probation hearing for violating the sentence’s no-contact order with the victim. He was released on personal recognizance and committed the shooting later that night, according to prosecutors.
Mendoza is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on Aug. 4.
An investigation remains ongoing.
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