A Queens man pleaded guilty today to a reduced charge for killing a hard-working deli owner who heroically attempted to save a relative during a botched robbery.

Shawn Forde, 29, admitted to a Queens judge that he savagely gunned down 54-year-old Juan Torres, the owner of the Lucky Grocery & Deli on Merrick Blvd in Oct 2010, as the deli owner was trying to protect his brother, Felix , during the botched robbery.

The gunman was facing 25 years to life for the murder and robbery, but copped a guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter and will be sentenced to 15 years in prison on May 1.

Forde, a regular customer at the store, was arrested days later and was pointed out by the victim’s brother.

“He was a work horse who came to this country to live the American dream,” said Torres’ nephew, Jesus who filled the courtroom with several grieving family members.