Orange County Man Who Shot & Attempted to Rob Man Drug Money Pleads Guilty

An Orange County man who shot and attempted to rob another Orange County man, in an attempt to feed his drug addiction, plead guilty.

In Orange County Court, 26-year-old Matthew Bauman, of Harriman, plead guilty to 1st-degree attempted robbery.

On November 24, 2015, Bauman admitted he stole his father’s handgun and went to the Quick Stop Deli on River Road in the Village of Harriman to commit a robbery to support his heroin addiction. Bauman confessed he confronted an 18-year-old man outside the deli and displayed a handgun.

When the teenager from Kiryas joel fled, Bauman shot him in the back of shoulder. Officials say the bullet traveled from the man’s shoulder and through his arm. The victim’s injuries were not life-threating. He was treated and released at Westchester Medical Center.

As part of the plea agreement, Bauman will be sentenced to eleven years in state prison and five years post release supervision when he is sentenced on May 24.
“Tragically, this case once again demonstrates how drug addiction fuels much of the violence that plagues our communities,” said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler in a statement. “I am thankful that the injuries suffered by the victim in this case were not more severe. This case illustrates the far reaching and devastating consequences of illegal narcotics. The victim in this case could have easily been killed, or more seriously injured, had the bullet struck him elsewhere. Had this case gone to trial, the defendant’s father, who was also a victim, would have been compelled to testify against his son. We can only hope that the over decade long prison sentence that this plea agreement guarantees will deter some who are tempted to commit violent acts to get money to feed their addictions, and will motivate others to obtain the treatment they need before another tragedy occurs.”