“We didn’t know if it was a personal attack or if it was random,” Paige Pavlot said in Town Court Thursday afternoon.
She may not yet know why her show horse, Jak, was shot and killed in his pasture, but Pavlot said she was relieved that the suspected triggerman is in police custody.
Robert R. Webster Jr., age 43, of Durhamville, is facing multiple charges for shooting Jak, according to police, and he will have his case heard by a grand jury.
"He was a family member. So, it really makes me mad that it was so senseless. That there really was no reason, like 'Oh I guess, I'm going to just go shoot someone's horse today.' He didn't think that he was a friend, he was a family member. So, that is very frustrating for me," says Pavlot.
Ever since she lost her horse, Paige says it's been very difficult for her to go horseback riding. She says it's still so devastating knowing that Jak is not at the farm.
“We were relieved,” when they heard someone was in custody, Pavlot said at Webster’s court hearing Thursday. “Obviously, this won’t bring my horse back, but we are relieved that somebody is in custody. He was my best friend. It’s a huge loss.”
Webster is charged with one count each of aggravated cruelty to an animal, second-degree mischief and reckless endangerment for shooting Jak on Dec. 29. Authorities said Webster pulled to the side of Kirkland Avenue and fired a long gun from inside his vehicle, killing the animal on Pavlot’s farm.
“As of today, we do not know what the motive is,” said Kirkland Police Officer Shawn Occhipinti. “This was definitely a random act of violence.”
Webster had been scheduled for a felony hearing on Thursday, but after his bail bond was lowered to $30,000, Webster waived the hearing. His case will now be presented to a county grand jury. Webster remains in county jail today, officials said.
Webster is also expected to face charges related to a fire at his father’s residence on Lake Shore Road in Verona on Nov. 29. State police are investigating.
(Rome Sentinel - Feb 5, 2016)
Earlier:
