Crime & Safety

Jury Trial Date Set for Troy Man Accused of Shooting Neighbor in Face

David George Keats, 73, faces an attempted murder charge after allegedly shooting his next-door neighbor Aug. 17 during an argument about barking dogs, according to Troy Police.

The trial for Troy resident David George Keats, who has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting his neighbor in the face, is scheduled to begin Oct. 2 at 52-4 District Court in Troy.

Keats, 73, was arrested Aug. 17 following an altercation with his next-door neighbor on Atlas Street over barking dogs, Troy Police said. Keats was charged with attempted murder on Aug. 20, according to a media release from the Troy Police Department.

According to police, witnesses stated that the altercation began when Keats let his three dogs outside and the dogs began to bark. According to the media release, Keats' 52-year-old next door neighbor yelled at the dogs to be quiet and kicked the fence. Keats then ran up to the victim, yelled, "Don't tell my dogs to shut up," and began shooting at the victim.

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One bullet hit the man in the face, piercing both cheeks, and four more shots were fired at the victim as he was running away, according to the report.

Witnesses to the shooting directed responding officers to where Keats was sitting on his porch. Officers approached Keats, who told officers his gun was unloaded and sitting behind him on the porch. Officers took him into custody without incident. 

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Keats was arrested and charged with assault with attempt to murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Keats was arraigned in front of Magistrate Holtz Aug. 20 and was released on a $1 million personal bond. He has been ordered not to return to his Troy home.

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