A Walden man who survived being shot when he was mistaken for a police officer spoke exclusively with News 12 now that the person who tried to kill him has pleaded guilty. 

“This guy crippled me to the point I can’t do anything,” said Charles Miller. 

The 50-year-old will never forget the night a dinner out with family almost cost him his life. 

“The guy says, ‘You’re good’ three times. The third time, I look down and see, poking out of a fanny pack, the barrel of the pistol,” said Miller. 

Miller was shot point-blank in the stomach by Hector Luna last year outside of the You-You Chinese restaurant in Wallkill. 

Authorities say Luna mistakenly thought Miller was a police officer when he opened fire. 

Miller survived but suffered serious injuries, and Luna was charged with assault. The Wallkill man pleaded guilty last week, and prosecutors say they will recommend 7 1/2 years in prison when he’s sentenced in January. 

“We are happy with it because it’s a night we don’t have to relive. He didn’t want to go through it,” said Marlenea Miller, the victim’s wife. 

Marlenea and Charles have six children, eight grandchildren and two more on the way. 

Charles is grateful to be alive but the couple say Luna’s actions have, in many ways, ruined their lives. 

Miller says he’s permanently disabled and unable to work. 

Instead of fighting Luna in court, he’s now fighting the state - after the couple says his disability claims were denied three times. 

“This animal has destroyed this family both financially and emotionally and mentally. We are scarred from that,” said Marlenea. 

Hector Luna is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 17. 

Prosecutors say they will also recommend five years' post-release supervision once Luna is out of prison.