A Portage man has
been charged in connection with the shooting on Mulberry Ave. on Dec. 18
which left another man seriously wounded.
Matthew Scott
Richardson, 22, of 5416 Mulberry Ave., has been charged with aggravated
battery, a Level 3 felony punishable by a term of three to 16 years; and
pointing a firearm, a Level 6 felony punishable by a term of six to 30
months.
According to
police, the incident began at 7:20 p.m. in the parking lot of the Menard’s
on U.S. Highway 6, which Richardson and the reported shooting victim were
exiting in their separate vehicles. “(S)ome type of confrontation occurred”
between the two and both “parties engaged in antagonistic behavior” while
westbound on U.S. 6, with the other man following Richardson, who “recorded
some of the confrontation on his cell phone.”
While still en
route to his residence, Richardson called his brothers “to tell them about
being followed” and on arriving at his home on Mulberry Ave. they were there
to meet him. A video camera installed at Richardson’s residence recorded
what happened next, police said.
The man following
Richardson arrived and pulled into the driveway but was “chased out” by
Richardson; one of Richardson’s brothers threw a brick at the man’s car as
he proceeded down the street to park off camera; the man, accompanied by his
girlfriend and “carrying a baseball bat he presumably removed from his car,”
“act(ed) menacingly to Richardson and his brothers,” one of whom, however,
“was able to take the bat away” from the man,” police said.