Police: Laurel man arrested for shooting juvenile who knocked on his door several times and ran away

A Laurel man who shot a 15-year-old boy who had repeatedly knocked on the front and rear doors to his home before running away each time pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday.

James Moshier, 64, was charged with second-degree assault for recklessly causing serious physical injury with a deadly weapon, police and prosecutors said. He left the court with a family member after posting bond. Judge Eileen Powers had set bail at $20,000, $40,000 bond or a $60,000 partially secured bond.

Police said it was after the 15-year-old and a friend knocked on the rear of the Peconic Bay Boulevard home for a third time shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, when Mr. Moshier shot through the glass door with a shotgun. The shooting victim, who was described only as a 15-year-old in a redacted copy of the criminal complaint obtained by The Suffolk Times, was shot in his upper right arm, police said.

Judge Powers granted an order of protection for both youths involved.

Mr. Moshier was taken into custody and held overnight at Southold Town police headquarters before his arraignment Friday. Assistant District Attorney John Capiello said Mr. Moshier has a prior misdemeanor arrest for Driving While Intoxicated and violation for Driving While Ability Impaired.

The second-degree assault charge Mr. Moshier was arraigned on Friday is a Class D violent felony carrying a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

Attorney Edward Burke, standing in for Mr. Moshier’s attorney, told Judge Powers “he’s looking forward to vigorously defending [Mr. Moshier].” He described his client as a union mason and a military veteran with roots in the community.

Members of the Mattituck Fire Department treated the gunshot wound victim at the scene before transporting him to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, police said. No update was provided on his condition.

Mr. Moshier is due back in court next Wednesday.