A Perry Town Board member has been accused of fatally shooting a 32-year-old man in the driveway of his home Wednesday evening.
Joseph S. Mlyniec, 60, of Perry pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Robert Irvine III of Perry, said Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O’Geen. He was arraigned in Wyoming County Court late Wednesday.
The two men knew one another, O’Geen said, but did not discuss how the two men were acquainted.
Further details on what led to the fatal encounter in front of Mlyniec’s residence at 2468 Route 246 in Perry were not released. O’Geen said he could not comment on what transpired on the property, described as a gentleman’s farm, or where in the body Irvine was shot.
O’Geen said Mlyniec called 911 just before 5:45 p.m. to alert authorities about the shooting. After a brief conversation with deputies, he was apprehended without incident at the scene.
Mlyniec, who is being held without bail in the Wyoming County Jail, is a retired Wyoming County sheriff’s deputy.
Wyoming County Sheriff Gregory Rudolph said Mlyniec retired as a patrol sergeant in 2008, following a career that spanned more than two decades. He returned to the force in 2009 and worked as a part-time deputy for another four years before he resigned in 2013, he said.
Rudolph said Mlyniec has been cooperating with police and that even though he previously worked for the department, he did not feel there is a conflict.
“We’re more than confident that this investigation will be done thoroughly, professionally and to the Nth degree,” he said.
“He won’t receive any special treatment,” O’Geen said.
Rudolph said Irvine was shot with a handgun. He said he believed Mlyniec had a valid gun permit.
Mlyniec is scheduled to appear in Warsaw Town Court at 5 p.m. Monday.