Man arrested after shooting outside bar

BY DENIS O’Malley and STEVE MCCONNELL, Times-Shamrock Writers

A Susquehanna County man accused of shooting another man outside a New Milford hotel early Friday was taken into custody Friday night after state police scoured the county in search of him, state police in Gibson said.

Jason Aronowitz, 42, of New Milford, allegedly shot Michael Reid of Hallstead with a .45-caliber handgun Friday morning outside the Parkview Hotel after an altercation inside the hotel’s bar, according to state police.

Aronowitz was arraigned on attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges and placed in the Susquehanna County prison. Bail for Aronowitz was denied.

He was taken into custody by state police about 7 p.m., May 20, in New Milford, the Gibson barracks said.

State police issued a press release early in the day warning the public to be on the look out for Aronowitz, describing him as “armed and dangerous.”

Reid was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Binghamton, N.Y., with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, according to state police. Efforts to reach a hospital representative were unsuccessful later Friday.

Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason Legg said, “We’re very fortunate (in Susquehanna County) not to encounter violent crimes on a consistent basis.” He said the county has not had a shooting in several years.

According to the police affidavit, a witness told police she observed Aronowitz arguing with several men in the parking lot of the Parkview and heard him tell them he had a gun.

She told police she saw Aronowitz proceed to the driver’s side door of a black pick-up truck; then walk over toward Reid with his hands held towards the man’s stomach; and then heard two gun shots.

Aronowitz is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing June 23 in New Milford District Court.

Staff writer Staci Wilson contributed to this report.