Police have arrested 62-year-old David Leary after he discharged a firearm in the direction of individuals he reportedly saw tampering with his vehicle. According to NBC New York, Nassau County Police say the incident occurred yesterday morning, around 3:20 a.m., when Leary allegedly fired multiple rounds upon witnessing the alleged tampering in his driveway.
The authorities arrived at Leary's First Street residence in response to a Shot Spotter alert, where they found two vehicles—one with a smashed window, the fence, and a garbage can all struck by bullets. No injuries were reported in the incident, but the damages left Leary facing severe legal consequences, including charges of criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment.
As Leary's actions ripple through the community, his wife, Joyce Leary, offered an alternative perspective to News 12, stating, "He didn’t try to hurt anybody. He was just trying to scare them away." She related the event to a previous trauma where the couple had their cars stolen approximately a year ago, suggesting that the shooting was a "reaction out of fear" to protect their family.
Despite claiming self-defense, the seriousness of discharging a weapon in a residential neighborhood has not been overlooked by law enforcement. The numerous charges against Leary highlight a situation where an attempt to protect his property may have put others in the area at risk. Leary is currently in custody and is set to appear in court today.
