SADDLE BROOK, N.J. – A horrifying act of violence unfolded inside a small pet shop in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, where longtime store owner Katarina Ruk was allegedly shot in the face with a crossbow by Raymond Carey, a 53-year-old customer she had known for years. The attack, which occurred on Monday evening around 6 p.m., has left the tight-knit community in shock and raised questions about the motive behind this brutal and unexpected assault.

A Day Like Any Other Turns to Horror

For Katarina Ruk, Monday started as an ordinary day at her pet shop, a business she had lovingly built and nurtured for the past five years. The small store, known for its friendly atmosphere and personalized service, had become a staple in the community, where pet owners could seek advice, purchase supplies, and interact with the animals. It was a place of warmth and care—until the unthinkable happened.

“Sometimes we have a lot of people at that time, but that particular day there was nobody here,” Ruk recalled.

Little did she know, the absence of other customers in the store at that moment would leave her alone in a terrifying confrontation with a man she thought she could trust.

A Familiar Face Turns Deadly

Raymond Carey, a longtime customer of the pet shop, entered the store around 6 p.m. Ruk had interacted with Carey numerous times before. He was generally quiet, never causing any trouble. On this particular evening, he walked into the shop as he had done many times before, giving no indication of the horrific act he was about to commit.

“He said something when he went to the back, but I couldn’t hear, so I went through this aisle here and when I got closer to him, I said, ‘What did you say? I didn’t hear you,’” Ruk recounted.

What happened next would be a moment that changed her life forever.

The Attack: A Crossbow in a Small Bag

As Ruk approached Carey to hear what he had said, she noticed that he was reaching into a small bag. In mere seconds, before she could react, Carey pulled out a crossbow and aimed it directly at her. Without hesitation, he fired the deadly weapon at point-blank range, sending an arrow piercing into her face.

Ruk barely had time to register what was happening before she was struck with excruciating pain.

“He just shot me like that,” she said, struggling to recount the moment she was attacked.

The arrow had entered through her mouth, shattering teeth and cutting through her lips and tongue. As blood poured from her wound, Carey, unfazed, reached into his bag again—this time to reload and fire another shot.

A Fight for Survival

With her life hanging in the balance, Ruk knew she had only seconds to act. Despite the pain and shock, she mustered the strength to knock the crossbow from Carey’s hands, preventing him from firing a second shot that could have ended her life.

“If I had not taken that, I’m sure he would have killed me,” she said.

With the weapon out of his grasp, Ruk pulled the arrow from her mouth and ran for her life. She stumbled out of the pet shop, blood dripping down her chin and soaking her clothes, desperately searching for help.

Desperate Escape: Seeking Help

Ruk ran to a nearby bike shop, her face covered in blood and her hands shaking from the trauma. In shock and barely able to speak due to her injuries, she managed to communicate enough to the employees inside: “Call the police!”

The employees immediately contacted 911, relaying the emergency to authorities. Within minutes, police officers and paramedics arrived at the scene, finding Ruk in severe distress and in need of urgent medical attention.

Immediate Medical Attention and Injuries

Ruk was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors assessed the extent of her injuries. The crossbow bolt had shattered several of her teeth, leading to the extraction of three teeth on the left side of her lower jaw. Two additional teeth were also severely damaged and will likely need to be removed in the coming weeks.

Additionally, her lips and tongue were cut, making speaking and eating incredibly painful. Doctors informed her that her full recovery would take approximately five months, but the physical wounds were just one part of the battle—the emotional trauma would last much longer.

Emotional Trauma and Lingering Fear

While Ruk is grateful to be alive, she admits that she is struggling to cope with the psychological aftermath of the attack.

“He’s in jail, but it’s like now I have that insecurity feeling on me,” she said, expressing her fear that something like this could happen again.

Despite the physical pain, Ruk acknowledges that the emotional scars may take even longer to heal.

The Arrest and Charges Against Carey

Following the attack, authorities quickly arrested Raymond Carey, charging him with attempted murder. He is currently in police custody, awaiting his court appearance. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as Ruk stated that she had no prior conflicts with Carey and has no idea why he would have attacked her.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, trying to determine what led Carey to commit such a violent act.

Community Shock and Reactions

The Saddle Brook community has been left in shock by the brutal attack. Customers of the pet shop, friends of Ruk, and fellow business owners have all expressed their disbelief and horror at what happened.

“Katarina is such a kind person,” one customer said. “I can’t believe someone would do this to her.”

Many locals have rallied around Ruk, offering their support as she recovers. Some have set up fundraisers to help cover her medical expenses, while others have volunteered to assist in running the pet shop while she is unable to work.

Ensuring Justice

As the case progresses, the prosecution is expected to pursue severe charges against Carey, given the premeditated nature of the attack. Legal experts suggest that if convicted, Carey could face decades in prison.

Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about Carey’s behavior leading up to the attack to come forward, as investigators seek to understand what could have led to such a violent incident.

Moving Forward

Despite the physical and emotional trauma, Ruk is determined to return to her pet shop and continue serving her customers. She remains grateful for the overwhelming support she has received from the community and is focusing on her recovery.

“I just want to get better and move on,” she said. “I won’t let this stop me from doing what I love.”

As she embarks on the long road to healing, one thing is certain—Katarina Ruk is a survivor.