Two men have been charged in connection with a shooting in July in Middletown where both of them allegedly agreed to fight each other over an argument on social media, with one of them bringing a hatchet and the other showing up with a gun, police said.
Jerry Sweeney, 46, and Arnie Clark, 43, each face charges in connection with the altercation, the Middletown Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.
Police said the charges stem from an incident on July 27 around 10:30 p.m. when officers responded to the area of 17 Elm St. on the report of a shooting. Responding officers found Sweeney suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, police said.
Jerry Sweeney faces charges in connection with a fight in Middletown in July when police said he was shot by another man.(Courtesy of the Middletown Police Department)
Officers at the scene also found Clark, who was accused of shooting Sweeney, according to police.
Detectives with the police department’s Major Investigations Unit investigated the incident and found that it allegedly began earlier in the evening on social media where Clark and Sweeney reportedly had an argument, according to police. They then allegedly agreed to meet in person at Clark’s residence so they could fight each other, police said.
According to police, Sweeney allegedly brought a hatchet with him and was met by Clark who allegedly had a handgun. Police said the two engaged in a fist fight in the driveway before they each allegedly brandished their respective weapons. Clark at some point allegedly shot Sweeney, police said.
Police said they obtained warrants for the arrest of both men after collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and taking statements.
Clark was arrested on Sept. 1 on charges of first-degree assault, criminal possession of a pistol, altering/removing identification marks on a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm and first-degree reckless endangerment, according to police and court records. He is free on a $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court next Monday.
Sweeney was arrested Monday on charges of second-degree threatening, third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. Police said he was held on a $75,000 bond pending an arraignment later in the day.
According to court records, Sweeney was released on a promise to appear and is due back in court on Oct. 7.
