Town of Jefferson Neighbor Dispute Ends in Gunfire and Arrests

An ongoing neighbor dispute in the Town of Jefferson has resulted in two men facing felony charges following an incident on August 14. According to New York State Police, officers responded to a report of shots fired at an Austin Road residence where two men were involved in an altercation.

The incident began with 39-year-old Daniel I. Merwin of Jefferson Merwin, who is accused of striking his neighbor, 37-year-old Jeremy Chase of Harpersfield with a wooden fence post. Chase is accused of retaliating by retrieving a firearm and menacing Merwin with it, then shooting a round into the ground. Merwin later returned to Chase’s property and used his vehicle to intentionally damage an electric fence. Children were present during the altercation.

Merwin has been charged with Assault in the first degree and the misdemeanors of Menacing in the second degree, Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Chase has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon and the misdemeanors of Reckless Endangerment in the second degree, Menacing in the second degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Both are due in court next week on August 24.

In the meantime, both were issued orders of protection to refrain from contact from one another.