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A Bay Shore man is facing murder and attempted murder charges for killing another man and later shooting a Suffolk County police officer in the face during an early morning standoff on Thursday, police said.
Suffolk Police said officers responded to a 911 call about 4:35 p.m. Wednesday and discovered the body of 66-year-old Eugene Allen of Brentwood in a wooded area across from 19 New York Avenue in Bay Shore. Detectives later assessed that Allen was the victim of a violent act.
Cops soon identified 48-year-old Nieves F. Reyes as the suspect. When officers attempted to execute a search warrant at Reyes’ home at 25 New York Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. Thursday, Reyes allegedly opened fire, striking a 33-year-old Third Precinct officer in the face.
The officer was initially taken to South Shore University Hospital before being transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital. He is listed in stable condition, officials said. The officer, a two-year veteran of the department, is expected to make a full recovery.
‘A smile on his face’
Police said the department’s Hostage Negotiation Team was called to the scene, and Reyes surrendered without further incident about 6:10 a.m.
At a press briefing outside the hospital Thursday morning, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said he had spoken with the injured officer. Catalina noted the officer was grateful to be alive.
“He’s got a smile on his face,” Catalina said. “He’s in a lot of pain but I think he understands that yeah, this could have got a lot worse so I think he’s happy to be alive and we’re happy that he’s alive. But he’s in good spirits.”
Reyes is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder of a police officer. He is being held overnight at the Sixth Precinct in Selden and is expected to be arraigned Friday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Top photo: Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalano briefs the media about the shooting (SCPD video still).
