NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department has arrested a Norwich man for shooting two other men following an alcohol-fueled argument that took place Friday night in the City of Norwich.

Police have arrested Lee M. Bush, 49, of 29 Court St., Norwich, for allegedly firing his 12-gauge shotgun at two men at 10 p.m., Friday, striking them both with numerous pellets from the blast.

Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino said the department received reports of gunshots being fired on Court Street, near Henry Street behind the Howard Johnson’s Hotel.

Angelino said a number of the individuals interviewed purposefully hindered the investigation in an attempt to misdirect police.

“No one was cooperative and they led us to believe that fireworks were the source of the noise,” he said. The PD originally confiscated a stash of fireworks and ticketed Bush for unlawfully possessing them.

However, Saturday morning at about 3 a.m., police were contacted by Chenango Memorial Hospital because a male gunshot wound victim was seeking medical attention.

Angelino said that both victims, a 32-year-old McDonough man and a 26-year-old City of Norwich man, suffered multiple scattershot wounds to their backs that were not life-threatening injuries.

Police responded to the scene and interviewed several individuals who told police that the sound was from fireworks being set off.

“Once the effects of alcohol and other substances had worn off, witnesses began to tell us the true facts. With this information the police were able to obtain a search warrant for Bush’s apartment where two shotguns and several rounds of ammunition were seized. We determined the reason for this shooting was an argument fueled by intoxication,” said Chief Angelino.

Angelino said that after a conference with Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, Bush was charged with two counts of second degree assault, a class D felony, first degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony and third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony. Bush was arraigned in Norwich City Court Sunday morning and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional facility.

More details will appear in Monday’s edition of The Evening Sun.