A 71-year-old licensed gun owner shot a 21-year-old man chasing him outside a Starbucks in Huntington, LI, early Saturday, authorities said.
Long Island Man Arrested for Shooting Incident
A 71-year-old man from Long Island was arrested for shooting a stranger who chased him outside a Starbucks over the weekend, according to police and prosecutors.
John Rech shot the 21-year-old man just before 5 a.m. on Saturday outside the coffee shop located at 1 Wall St. in Huntington, as stated in the criminal complaint.
The reason the unidentified 21-year-old man from Fort Salonga chased Rech is unclear. Authorities reported that Rech shot him in the stomach and leg.
The 21-year-old underwent surgery for serious but non-life-threatening injuries at Huntington Hospital, according to police and court documents.
Rech, who resides in Huntington, was arrested and charged with felony assault, police said.
Authorities confirmed that he had a valid license for the gun, which was recovered.
Rech was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled to reappear in court on January 15, as per the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Rech’s lawyer, Robert Macedonio, expressed confidence that his client will be acquitted. He stated, “John is a licensed firearm holder authorized to have concealed carry.”
Macedonio added, “We are gathering all the video footage from several locations in Huntington Village where this incident took place. We believe, once we obtain all that, it will show that Mr. Rech acted appropriately within the confines of the law and these charges will be dismissed.”
Summary of Incident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect Name | John Rech |
| Suspect Age | 71 |
| Victim Age | 21 |
| Location | 1 Wall St., Huntington |
| Time of Incident | 5 a.m. Saturday |
| Charges | Felony Assault |
| Bail Amount | $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond, $250,000 partially secured |
| Court Date | January 15 |
