A 71-year-old Long Island man found himself in hot water over the weekend after shooting a stranger who was chasing him in front of a Starbucks. John Rech, the suspect in question, allegedly wounded a 21-year-old man just before 5 a.m. on Saturday outside the coffee shop located at 1 Wall St. in Huntington.
The incident, as described in the criminal complaint filed against Rech, involved the younger Fort Salonga man chasing after Rech for reasons that remain unclear. In response, Rech reportedly shot the man in the stomach and leg, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries that required surgery at Huntington Hospital.
Following the shooting, Rech, a resident of Huntington, was arrested and charged with felony assault. Despite the gravity of the situation, it was revealed that Rech possessed a valid license for the firearm used in the altercation, which was subsequently recovered by authorities.
During a court appearance, Rech was ordered to be held on $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond. The suspect is scheduled to reappear in court on January 15, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
In defense of his client, Rech’s lawyer, Robert Macedonio, expressed confidence in Rech’s eventual exoneration. Macedonio emphasized Rech’s status as a licensed firearm holder authorized for concealed carry and mentioned ongoing efforts to gather video footage from various locations in Huntington Village where the incident occurred. The lawyer asserted that the obtained evidence would demonstrate Rech’s adherence to the law and lead to the dismissal of the charges against him.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits further developments in this case involving a startling clash between two individuals with vastly different backgrounds and ages.
