Cops: Mattituck man fired shotgun during argument
A local school board member has been arrested after firing a shotgun at another person in the middle of an argument Friday night, according to Southold Town police.
Authorities said 67-year-old Douglas Cooper of Mattituck, a member of the district’s school board, pointed and shot the gun in the direction of a victim — who was not identified by police — during a “landlord tenant dispute” on Breakwater Road in Mattituck about 10 p.m.
The man was not injured, police said.
Mr. Cooper was arrested by police and charged with menacing, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, according to a news release. He was released on bail, police said.
Reached by phone Saturday morning, Mr. Cooper said he did fire a shotgun, but did not aim it at anyone.
“That’s not true whatsoever,” he said, declining to comment further on the matter.
