Texas man charged for shooting in Blossburg
MANSFIELD — James Wesley Lynch IV, 39, of Cleveland, Texas, faces charges including attempted criminal homicide following an incident in which he shot Derrick Rieco on April 22, according to the Blossburg Police Department.
The Sun-Gazette previously reported on the U.S. Marshals capturing Lynch in the 500 block of Doty Road in Vidor, Texas, on April 23.
He was arraigned on May 21, denied bail and sent to to Tioga County Prison. His preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday before District Judge James Carlson.
Police responded to a 911 call at about 12:18 a.m. April 22 and arrived to the Bear A Bar, 200 Main St., Blossburg, and found Rieco laying on the ground with individuals gathered around him that told police he had been shot in the stomach, according to court documents.
Brenda Overpeck, bartender, told police that she had “shut off” Lynch previously in the night, so he left but later returned, according to court documents.
“He stood at the end of the bar and conversed with Overpeck with a calm demeanor, making such comments as, ‘I’m a good guy,’ and ‘I didn’t want to get in trouble,’ “ the affidavit said.
Overpeck told police that Lynch approached Rieco, pulled out a handgun, shot him and left, according to court documents.
Brian Hawk, witness, told police that he heard a loud noise and turned to see a man he had spoken with earlier in the evening, identified as Lynch, holding a handgun, according to court documents. Hawk told police that Lynch walked toward Pete Smith, pointed the gun at Smith and said, “That’s how real I am,” according to the affidavit.
According to court documents, there were approximately 20 people in the bar at the time of the incident.
Rieco was in stable condition, according to court documents.
Police went to the residence associated with Lynch on a credit card receipt from the bar at 118 Main St., Blossburg, where they came in contact with his son, James Lynch V, according to court documents.
James Lynch V told police he had gone to bed and was woken up by his father, who told him he had “(expletive) up and needed to leave,” the affidavit said. James Lynch V told police that his father left the property in a black Dodge pickup truck, according to court documents.
James Wesley Lynch IV was formally charged with attempted criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of simple assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, harassment, disorderly conduct persons not to possess firearms and firearms not to be carried without a license.