UPDATE: Lewis County man succumbs from gunshot wound in wake of dispute over slow-pitch softball tournament

ROME- A local man from the North Country has died from a gunshot wound suffered in an altercation during a slow-pitch softball tournament in Oneida County.

On Tuesday, medical personnel at a local hospital officially pronounced Theodore Chrystie, 34, of Greig, NY, deceased. The incident occurred on Sunday in Rome, NY’s Haselton-Wright Park.

Officers from the City Police Department were dispatched to the park shortly after 8:00 p.m. for complaints of a dispute.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with board members of the softball league. It’s reported that these board members asked officers to remove Chrystie from the premises, due to what was described as disruptive behavior.

When police began interviewing Chrystie, the board members approached and offered that Chrystie would be welcomed to stay, so long as he did not dispute with the other players any further.

Once play resumed, officers remained on-scene for a time and observed no further disruptions.

However at approximately 10:45 p.m., with the final game of the night over, the players and spectators began leaving the park.

During that time, police say Chrystie and other players, again, engaged in a verbal dispute. During the dispute, authorities say a gun was produced.

A struggle ensued and during the tussle, the gun went off, striking Chrystie in the neck.

The hand gun used in this incident was not legally possessed, investigators reported.

At this time no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

The investigation into this case is ongoing. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Rome Police Department’s TIP line at (315) 339-7744.

Rome City Police Department image.