The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Leonard Anthony Widawski, of Yancey County, in connection to the shooting of a 15-year-old boy on Saturday, February 10th. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon resulting in serious injury.
Officials said a group of juveniles was visiting a swinging bridge located on Highway 197 in the the Green Mountain area. A verbal and physical altercation broke out over parking on private property. Officials said a resident living in the area started the altercation. Widawski intervened in the altercation and fired a single shot, which struck the 15-year-old male, according to deputies.
The shooting victim was airlifted to Memorial Mission Hospital, where he was last known to be in critical but stable condition as of Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The sheriff’s office’s investigation, with the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, led officials to arrest and charge Widawski. He was released after posting a $75,000 secured bond.
Yancey County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that no further information would be released at this time.