PENNSYLVANIA — A violent altercation between two men late Wednesday night in Lancaster County resulted in a shooting and a stabbing, according to the Columbia Borough Police Department.
Police said officers were dispatched at approximately 10:40 p.m. to the first block of South Sixth Street in Columbia Borough, near Park Elementary School, for a report of a disturbance. When officers arrived, they found two men in the street who had been involved in what authorities described as a violent physical fight.
One of the men was suffering from a gunshot wound to his left arm and was bleeding heavily, according to court documents. Police said he was transported to Lancaster General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The second man, identified as Matthew Rowley, 35, of Lancaster, sustained non-life-threatening facial injuries and was also taken to the hospital for treatment.
Investigators said the fight began following a disagreement involving a woman known to both men. According to court documents and surveillance video, Rowley allegedly pulled out a Glock 9 mm handgun during the altercation and fired one shot, striking the victim in the arm. Police said the firearm then malfunctioned and was discarded, after which the fight continued. Investigators allege Rowley then stabbed the victim in the stomach with a folding knife.
Rowley was taken into custody and charged with criminal attempt–criminal homicide, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm prohibited, and carrying a firearm without a license. Police noted that Rowley has a prior burglary conviction, which legally prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police said they are reviewing surveillance footage, collecting evidence, and interviewing a possible witness. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Matt Leddy or the on-duty supervisor at 717-684-7735.
