Columbia Borough fight explodes into gunshot and stabbing as man waives hearing in attempted homicide case
COLUMBIA BOROUGH, PA — A street fight in a Columbia Borough neighborhood escalated into a gunshot and stabbing that left a 27-year-old man hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and now the accused has waived his preliminary hearing as the case heads to county court.
Matthew Albert Rowley, 35, of the 500 block of East Strawberry Street, waived his preliminary hearing Feb. 3 before Judge Miles Bixler on charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and two felony firearms offenses.
Prosecutors allege the altercation unfolded shortly after 10:30 p.m. Jan. 7 in the first block of South Sixth Street. An eyewitness told police that Rowley and the victim were engaged in a physical fight when Rowley produced a concealed handgun.
According to investigators, Rowley fired a single shot, but the weapon jammed after the first round. He then discarded the firearm and began stabbing the victim in the abdomen with a folding knife, police said.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. When officers arrived, they found the victim bleeding heavily and Rowley suffering from minor facial injuries.
Authorities said Rowley is not eligible to possess or conceal a firearm due to a prior conviction.
Rowley remains in Lancaster County Prison without bail due to the severity of the offenses. Columbia Borough Police Detective Matthew Leddy filed the charges. Chief of the Major Crimes Unit Mark Fetterman will prosecute the case.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Points
- Matthew Albert Rowley waived his preliminary hearing on attempted homicide and firearms charges
- Police allege he fired a handgun and then stabbed the victim during a Jan. 7 fight
- The victim suffered life-threatening injuries and Rowley remains jailed without bail
