{"id":22577,"date":"2025-09-10T08:29:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T12:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/2025\/09\/10\/nbc-new-york-police\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T08:29:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T12:29:13","slug":"nbc-new-york-police","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/2025\/09\/10\/nbc-new-york-police\/","title":{"rendered":"NBC New York Police"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Incident<\/h2>\n

With six stitches across his cheek, Richard Catrone\u2019s face was still bloodied and bandaged when he spoke to NBC New York.\u00a0The 67-year-old is in pain, but thankful he was not more seriously hurt when his neighbor fired a flare gun in his face.<\/p>\n

The Attack<\/h2>\n

The attack was captured on home security video.\u00a0It shows Catrone walking his dog on a leash outside his apartment when 76-year-old Kathleen Schuman comes out of her apartment, a few doors down.\u00a0Seconds later she fires the flare gun, hitting him in the face.\u00a0The flare can be seen bouncing off his cheek as he holds his face in pain, shocked by what just happened.
\n<\/p>\n

Immediate Aftermath<\/h2>\n

"My next inclination was to get the gun and I knocked it out of her hand and she went to get it and I wanted to protect my dog. I wanted to protect myself," recalled Catrone.\u00a0"Kathleen showed no emotion. She claimed I was the devil that I tried to murder her.\u00a0She said ‘I\u2019m sorry I missed, sorry I missed.’"<\/p>\n

Police Response<\/h2>\n

Police arrested Schuman and charged her with assault.\u00a0When NBC New York spoke to Catrone, his blood was still on the walkway in front of their apartments.<\/p>\n

Background of the Feud<\/h2>\n

Neighbors of the two residents say the two have a longstanding feud, stemming from their pets. Schuman has a house cat and Catrone has a dog. "He started harassing her because he said her cat was always upsetting his dog and she would sit outside with it," explained neighbor Mary Neitzel.\u00a0"She actually moved out to live with her sister for a few months. She just moved back a week ago and he just keeps bothering her."<\/p>\n

Statements from Involved Parties<\/h2>\n

"I just asked her can you keep the cat inside and that started the situation," said Catrone.\u00a0He says he has made complaints to the management company. A spokesman for Belmont Villas, the community they reside in, told NBC New York in a statement, \u201cThis was an isolated incident between individuals and unrelated to the community itself. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they handle the matter. The safety and well-being of our residents remain our top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n

Court Proceedings<\/h2>\n

In court, Schuman pleaded not guilty.\u00a0She has to stay away from Catrone as part of her release.\u00a0The judge allowed her to return to the apartment one time with an officer to retrieve her belongings and her attorney told the judge she would live temporarily with a relative.<\/p>\n

Reflection from the Victim<\/h2>\n

"I\u2019ve lived in Manhattan. I\u2019ve lived in San Francisco. I\u2019ve lived in Boston and nothing ever happened to me," said Catrone.\u00a0"I moved to Suffolk County a senior community, and my neighbor shoots me in the face with a flare."<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The incident involving Richard Catrone and Kathleen Schuman highlights the sometimes volatile nature of neighborly disputes and the importance of community management in mediating such conflicts. It also underscores the need for swift and effective law enforcement intervention in cases of violence.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n