Victim has lived in Howland only two weeks

Staff report

HOWLAND

A man formerly of Warren who has lived in a Howland mobile-home park for two weeks was shot in the abdomen and leg Sunday afternoon in the home — two weeks after he was robbed and assaulted at gunpoint there. Police are looking for two black men who Matthew Kline, 52, of Weir Road Northeast said shot him at 12:51 p.m. Sunday and assaulted him two weeks ago. Police have suspects in the crime, but have made no arrests, Howland Police Chief Paul Monroe said.

Kline told police two men he didn’t know asked for money. Kline told the men he didn’t have any, and then Kline was shot. Police found Kline in the bedroom with gunshot wounds to his leg and hip.

Monroe said one of the shots traveled into his abdomen. Kline was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he remains. The hospital would not provide information on his condition.

Kline has rented a mobile home in the Forest Grove Mobile Home Park on the west side of Elm Road just north of Warren for two weeks, Monroe said.

Two weeks ago, at the same mobile home, Howland police were called because the men forced open the door to Kline’s home, stole items and hit Kline in the face with a firearm.