Confrontation over break-ins led to Polish Town shooting
Three hours after shotgun blasts sent shockwaves through Polish Town and a Riverhead woman to the hospital, Riverhead and New York State police used a K9 to capture the teenager they say pulled the trigger.
Nathan Streit, 17, who police say is homeless, was found hiding inside a Osborn Avenue house about 11:30 p.m. Monday.
Hours earlier, Mr. Streit had fired several rounds at Jon Gallo, 26, and Shane Sypher, 25, both of Riverhead following a confrontation on nearby Raynor Avenue, police said. While neither man was struck by any of the shots, pellets from one round did cause minor injuries to Mr. Gallo’s mother, Sharon, 52.
Mr. Gallo told a News-Review reporter Monday night that he had confronted Mr. Streit and another young man over a series of break-ins in the area.
“Next thing I know, he comes back with a gun and he’s [expletive] shooting,” Mr. Gallo said.
The gunman then fled on foot, Mr. Gallo said.
Police quickly responded to the home on Osborn Avenue where they later found Mr. Streit, frequently shining a flashlight at an open second story window and questioning two men and a woman sitting outside the home.
Shortly before 11:30 p.m., several state troopers and Riverhead police officers and detectives wearing bullet proof vests, surrounded the house while a police dog and several more officers searched the interior for the shooter.
Mr. Streit was quickly apprehended without resistance, police said. He was charged with assault, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. He was held overnight for a Tuesday morning arraignment.
Ms. Gallo was treated at Peconic Bay Medical Center for what police described as non-life threatening injuries.
Check back for more details later this morning.
