Taxing Long Island
News12 New York
Download the App
Where to Watch
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files
Stony Brook Medicine

New details emerge in Huntington shooting as defense attorney weighs in

Police say the 21-year-old was shot in the stomach and leg and is being treated for serious injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Daniella Rodriguez

Jan 5, 2026, 10:08 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

News 12 sat down with a defense attorney who is representing a 71-year-old Huntington man accused of shooting a 21-year-old man early Saturday morning outside a Starbucks on Wall Street near Main Street on Monday night.

Police say the shooting happened around 5 a.m. after John Rech told police he was being chased.

Residents say the incident is unsettling for the busy downtown area.

“Definitely different,” said Leon McDonald, of Huntington. “Hopefully, they’ll find out what happened and if they do know, hopefully they’ll let us know.”

Court documents show the victim and the defendant did not know each other.

Police say the 21-year-old was shot in the stomach and leg and is being treated for serious injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Defense attorney Robert Macedonio says his client has no prior arrests and immediately called 911 after the shooting.

“He is 100% cooperating with the District Attorney’s Office and the police department,” Macedonio said. “I believe he is going to be fully exonerated. The charges will be dismissed.”

Police say they recovered a firearm and confirmed the 71-year-old had a valid license for the weapon.

Rech is charged with second-degree assault and is due back in court Saturday.

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices