A political argument over President Donald Trump in a Chagrin Falls Park left one man shot, another arrested and two lawyers disputing whether the shooting was justified.
David Mattai, 55, of Geauga County, was shot, according to Bainbridge Township Police. Emmanuel "Mike" Mathews, 80, of South Russell, was arrested.
Ryan Fisher, a lawyer who represents Mattai and spoke on his behalf, said his client was shot in the back while putting his dog in his car at Centerville Mills, a park in Chagrin Falls.
鈥淗e almost died," said David Mattai's wife, Sally Mattai. "He had two abdominal surgeries, one when he was first brought in here. The bullet went through his back, damaged part of his spine and then hit his bowel area. I was beside myself sobbing nonstop.鈥�
Fisher, said Mathews shot Mattai from his car while Mattai鈥檚 back was turned. After he was shot, Mattai grabbed a gun from his car and shot at Mathews鈥� car as Mathews drove away, Fisher said.
鈥淗e was not trying to hit or kill Mathews," Fisher said. "He just wanted to stop the car and then he lost consciousness. Next thing he knew, he was in the hospital."
Sally Mattai said Mathews鈥� and David Mattai were arguing about politics. She said her husband is no fan of President Donald Trump and his "Make America Great Again" supporters. When the discussion got heated, David Mattai walked to his car and put his dog in the front seat, she said.
Mathews鈥� attorney, Ian Freidman, said Mattai presented a threat of harm to his client by grabbing Mathews by the head.
鈥淚t began with a verbal assault," Friedman said. "It became a physical assault, and it escalated to the point where it was reasonably believed that Mr. Mattai was going to use deadly force against Mr. Mathews. The gun was pulled at a time that any reasonable person would have found it appropriate.鈥�
Mathews was stopped and arrested by police, who confiscated a gun, according to South Russel Police. He was charged with felonious assault and spent April 21 at the Geauga County jail and was released on $50,000 bond the next day.
Sally Mattai said her husband called her from the park after he was shot.
鈥淗e's like, 鈥楴o, I got in an argument about Trump and this man just shot me in the back,鈥�" Sally Mattai said. "Next thing I know, there's a police officer on the phone, takes the phone and is like, 鈥榃e're rushing him to Hillcrest Hospital.' My husband was ... vocal about how he does not support the MAGA ideologies or whatever you want to say and that man took it upon himself to shoot my husband.鈥�
Bainbridge Township Police Chief Jon Bokovitz said in a brief statement the incident is still under investigation.
鈥淯pon arrival, BBPD found a male that was injured due to being shot with a gun,鈥� Bokovitz said. 鈥淭here is no threat to anyone else as this was an isolated incident.鈥�
Fisher said Mattai suffered vertebrae damage, lower body sensory issues, cannot walk and will be hospitalized for several weeks.
Mathews is scheduled to be in court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
