Charges of first degree murder have been filed against a 34-year-old Galt man in connection with the shooting death of another man on Thursday afternoon.
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Patrick Brian Courtney is being held without bond in the Grundy County Detention Center, charged with first degree murder, a class A felony, in connection with the death of Christopher J. Molloy, 32. According to the probable cause statement Courtney and Molloy were involved in a physical altercation at around 12:30 p.m. at a residence at 200 N. Main St. in Galt. At that time, Courtney struck Molloy on top of the head with a blunt object. Courtney then left the scene, accompanied by Stephanie Miller, whose address in an unrelated case was listed as 200 N. Main St., as well. Courtney drove to his home, listed at 1073 NE. 102nd Ave, in Galt, where he retrieved a .22LR caliber Heritage Rough Rider single action revolver.
After deliberating on the matter, the two returned to the Main Street residence, where Courtney shot Molloy multiple times with the revolver, striking him in the left side of the head, the right side of the torso, both arms and in the back. He then drove his vehicle to Doug’s Hy-Klas Market, located at 108 S. Main St., where he told Charles Smiley that he had just shot and killed Molloy. Courtney then returned to the residence, where he waited for authorities to arrive. When Sheriff Rodney Herring arrived, Courtney walked toward him and told the sheriff he had shot and killed Christopher Molloy.
Courtney is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday in Grundy County Circuit Court. He is also being held on $100,000 cash-only bond on a probation violation on an original charge of non-support.