Two Men Charged After One Forcibly Comes Onto Property And The Owner Fires Upon Him

WESTERLO, NEW YORK – Two men were arrested following a shooting incident Friday night. According to the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to disturbance call at a home on County Route 111 in the Town of Westerlo around 11:20 p.m.

Their investigation revealed that Brian Rueli, 42, of Connecticut drove his vehicle through a metal gate and onto the property of 40-year-old Erik Juhansoo. The two men, whom police say knew each other, then got into a verbal altercation.

Rueli then broke a window, prompting Juhansoo to retrieve a .22 caliber rifle from the residence. He fired upon the vehicle occupied by Rueli with six bullets striking the vehicle.  

Rueli was charged with one count of Criminal Mischief in the third degree, a Class E Felony and one count of Criminal Trespass in the third degree, a Class B Misdmeanor. He was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Westerlo Court on a later date.

Juhansoo was charged with one count of Reckless Endangerment in the first degree, a class D Felony and one count of Criminal Mischief in the second degree, a class D felony. Jahuansoo is due to be arraigned in the Town of Westerlo Court.