Retirement communities are supposed to be peaceful havens, but one Long Island complex turned into the scene of a nightmare after tensions between two New York neighbors spiraled completely out of control. What residents thought was just another argument between the feuding pair ended in an explosion of violence that left police, medics, and stunned onlookers scrambling.
Authorities say the chaos unfolded in West Babylon when 76-year-old Kathleen Schuman and her 67-year-old neighbor, Richard Catrone, clashed yet again. The two had reportedly been at odds for months, with disputes over pets fueling their animosity. But on the evening of September 8, the feud allegedly took a shocking turn when Schuman was accused of pulling out a flare gun and firing it at Catrone at close range.
Home surveillance footage captured the moment the confrontation spiraled into violence. Catrone, seen walking with his dog, suddenly faced Schuman, raising the flare gun and pulling the trigger. The blast struck him in the face, sending him stumbling backward before he lunged toward Schuman, striking her in retaliation.
Elderly Feud Turns Violent, Leaving Injuries and Fallout
The confrontation left Catrone with six stitches to his cheek. Both he and Schuman were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. Neighbors later described the feud as long-standing, with claims that disputes over Schuman’s cat upsetting Catrone’s dog were at the heart of the bad blood. The post was shared on Reddit, allowing for many varying comments.
“That’s just some boomer-on-boomer shenanigans,” one writes.
“I love the guy on News12 who asked, “Where did she get a flare gun?” Another adds.
“Not a single person in that community was surprised,” writes one more.
Catrone insists he simply asked Schuman to keep her cat indoors. But what should have been a minor request spiraled into a violent showdown, according to People. Neighbors say Schuman had even moved out temporarily to live with her sister due to the ongoing tension, only to return weeks before the incident reignited.
Now, Schuman faces charges of second-degree assault with an incendiary device. She has pleaded not guilty, denied the allegations, and was ordered to stay away from Catrone. Her bail was set at $5,000 cash.
New York residents of the Belmont Villas Senior Apartments may insist this was an isolated clash. But the chilling reality tells a different story. If tempers in a retirement community can escalate to weapons being drawn. It’s a sobering reminder that unresolved disputes and unchecked tensions can spiral into real danger. Neighbors everywhere, no matter their age, should take this as a warning. Feuds left to fester don’t just fade. Sometimes they can explode.
Casey James 
Dylan Cook 
