Man shoots snow plow, injuring worker

GOWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Police say a Gowanda Village Highway employee was plowing the snow off the sidewalks on Palmer Street when a man shot at the worker, breaking a glass pane on the snow plow and sending broken glass into the worker's face.

Thomas Barone, 40, was arrested Wednesday and charged with second degree assault, third degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Authorities say Barone used a pump-action BB gun and shot at the worker from the front door of his home around 6:15 a.m. The BB hit the snow plow's side window, breaking the glass and sending shards into the worker's face.

The worker, Brian Bylbie, was taken to the hospital where he was treated and later released.

"I don't know why, what his beef was, if he didn't want to shovel the snow we push into his driveway or what. I'm not a malicious person, but I hope he gets what's coming to him," Bylbie said. "Punish him to the fullest extent of the law."

Barone had apparently previously made complaints about his sidewalk not being plowed properly. He is currently being held in the Cattaraugus County Jail on $3,000 bail.

Bylbie did not let his injuries prevent him from going back to work. Gowanda received a foot of snow overnight.