Duane Roderick Lynch, 38, of Port Charlotte, was found guilty of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, Shooting at/within or Into a Dwelling/Building, and Possession of a Firearm, Ammunition, or Concealed Weapon by a Convicted Felon. The jury returned the guilty verdict this afternoon, following a four-day trial in Charlotte County.
The jury also returned Special Verdict Findings, which are enhancements to the charges, that increase the time a defendant may face. On count one, the jury found the defendant did Possess and
Discharge a Firearm, which carries a 20-year minimum/mandatory sentence. On count three, the jury found the defendant did Possess a Firearm, which carries a 3-year minimum/mandatory sentence.
In 2019, Lynch drove his pick-up truck recklessly down a residential street where children and adults were playing basketball. Some adults yelled at him to slow down. Lynch parked his truck and went over to confront them. He pulled a gun out of his waistband and waved it around. He then walked back to his truck, drove by the group, and began firing out of his window. One man was shot in the leg and a nearby house was hit more than 10 times by bullets. Lynch then drove off.
Witnesses took a photo of the truck and were able to identify him to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, leading to his arrest.
Assistant State Attorney Caitlin Sorenson and Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Garczewski prosecuted the case. Sentencing is scheduled for November 15th.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office