Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Chief David Steffen confirmed Friday evening to LititzDailyNews.com the identity of the 74-year old man who reportedly fired his legally-owned handgun Wednesday morning, wounding a 29-year old Warwick High School graduate in what police have labeled a road rage incident. The shooting took place in the parking lot of Lititz Family Cupboard restaurant shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. LititzDailyNews.com was the first to publish the identity 29-year old

James Mellinger, 74, of Manheim, allegedly fired a single shot from a gun he lawfully possessed, striking 29-year old Darrel Smith in the face and jaw Wednesday morning in the parking lot of Lititz Family Cupboard Restaurant in what police say appears to be an incident of road rage.  Smith remains hospitalized following surgery and is expected to recover.

Smith’s children were reportedly at the scene of the shooting and were uninjured. Police have yet to disclose the identity of either man involved, since no charges have been filed. Charges could still be filed. The NLCRPD is expecting guidance from the district attorney’s office soon.

“I would expect that within the next 10-14 days,” said Steffen. Police are awaiting Smith to recover enough from his wounds to provide a statement. He was reportedly on a ventilator following surgery at Lancaster General Hospital. Police receive periodic updates of his condition “through the health care provider or a family member of the victim,” according to Steffen.

LititzDailyNews.com also exclusively published a story about the fundraiser set up by friends of Darrel Smith’s girlfriend on GoFundMe. Click here to read about the GoFundMe account set up by a friend of Darrel Smith’s girlfriend or to access the GoFundMe account page to donate.

We will be updating this story with additional information about both men involved in the shooting and will be adding additional information provided by Chief Steffen to LititzDailyNews.com.