Long Island retirement community village rocked after neighbour allegedly shot in face with flare gun

A Long Island retirement community has been rocked by a bizarre and violent confrontation that ended with a resident allegedly firing a flare gun at her neighbour’s face.

Police say 76-year-old Kathleen Schuman was arrested after the incident on Monday, September 8, at a 55-and-over complex in West Babylon, New York.

She is facing one count of second-degree assault causing injury with a weapon, specifically, an incendiary device, according to Suffolk County First District Court records.

Ms Schuman pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Tuesday, September 9, and is due back in court on Friday, September 12.

The alleged victim, identified as 67-year-old Richard Catrone, received six stitches to his cheek following the confrontation. Police confirmed both Mr Catrone and Ms Schuman were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at local hospitals.

Ring doorbell video obtained by NBC New York captured the tense moment. Mr Catrone can be seen standing with his dog when a woman — believed to be Ms Schuman — turns, raises a flare gun, and fires at close range.

After stumbling back, Mr Catrone rushes toward her, letting go of his dog’s leash, grabbing her by the hair, and striking her in the head.

“F...ing idiot!” Mr Catrone is heard yelling in the footage.

“What is wrong with you?”

He later told NBC, “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.”

Mr Catrone added that Ms Schuman “showed no emotion” after the alleged attack.

“She claimed I was the devil, that I tried to murder her.

She said, ‘I’m sorry I missed, sorry I missed.’ “

Residents say this was not a random outburst but the result of a long-running feud over pets.

Neighbour Mary Neitzel said, “Catrone started harassing her because he said her cat was always upsetting his dog and she would sit outside with it. 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.”

But Mr Catrone disputes that characterisation.

“I just asked her, Can you keep the cat inside?‘ and that started the situation,” he told the outlet.

Mr Catrone said he had filed complaints with Conifer LLC, the company that manages the Belmont Villas Senior Apartments.

“We are aware of an altercation that occurred yesterday evening between two residents,” Mr Conifer said.

“This 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.”

It has been reported that Ms Schuman has denied the allegations against her. A judge has ordered her to stay away from Mr Catrone and set bail at $5,000 ($A7500) cash.