NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance Monday in which a convicted felon allegedly struck family members, pets, and destroyed property before the victim attempted to give the man a firearm as he left the scene.
John J. Cole, Pleasant Street, Norwich, was arrested Monday after having a physical confrontation with his wife and brother-in-law. Police said Cole struck the brother-in-law and caused a gash above his eyebrow that required medical attention. Police said witnesses reported that during the dispute, Cole allegedly tore a door off his residence and kicked the family dog, all while in the presence of his three children.
According to police, Cole is a felon with two prior convictions but is not currently on parole or probation. He is forbidden by New York State Law to possess firearms and police discovered a shotgun in plain view at the residence when they arrived.
“Despite the fact that they had just had a violent dispute, one of the victims in the case decided to give a firearm to the defendant as he left the residence because it apparently belonged to him. The defendant had been collecting his belongings and he was preparing to leave the scene when officers arrived,” said Norwich Police Officer Brandon Clark.
Cole was charged with third degree assault, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, fourth degree criminal mischief, two counts of harassment and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, all misdemeanors.
Clark said Cole was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and that there was no ammunition found at the scene. Police did not elaborate on the original cause of the argument.