Suffolk County police are searching for a gunman who opened fire on two people during a late-night argument in Mastic Beach, injuring a man and a woman before fleeing the scene.
The shooting took place at around 10 p.m. on Monday, June 2, in front of a residence at 96 Woodside Road.
According to Suffolk County Police, a group of people had gathered outside the home when a dispute broke out. During the argument, one of the men involved drew a handgun and fired multiple shots at two of the people in the group.
The two victims, a 25-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, were struck by gunfire and rushed to nearby hospitals.
Both were treated for injuries that police described as non-life-threatening. No further details about their conditions have been released.
The shooter did not remain at the scene. He fled before officers arrived, and as of Tuesday morning, no arrests had been made. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
A large police response was dispatched to Woodside Road following the shooting. Officers from the Crime Scene Unit were among those who responded, combing the area for evidence as detectives worked to piece together the events that led to the gunfire.
The street, a residential block in the hamlet of Mastic Beach on Long Island’s South Shore, was the focal point of the investigation through the night.
Detectives Seek Public Help
Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are leading the investigation and are urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information about the identity of the shooter to come forward.
Tips can be submitted by calling the Seventh Squad directly at 631-852-8752. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.
Investigators have not yet released a description of the suspect, and it is unclear what led to the argument before the shooting. The relationship between those involved, including the shooter and the two victims, has not been publicly confirmed by police at this time.
A Community on Alert
The shooting added to what has been a busy stretch for law enforcement in the Mastic Beach and Shirley area. On Tuesday morning, a mini school bus carrying children was rear-ended in nearby Shirley.
Separately, Mastic Beach officers made headlines earlier this week after rescuing a cat that had become trapped in marshland and was at risk of drowning.
For residents of Mastic Beach and the surrounding communities, Monday night’s shooting served as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can arise even in front of private homes late at night.
The hamlet, situated along the southern shoreline of Long Island in the Town of Brookhaven, is a closely knit neighborhood where incidents of this nature tend to draw significant community concern.
Police are asking that anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, reach out to investigators.
Even a partial description of the shooter or details about the argument that preceded the shooting could prove valuable as detectives work to identify and locate the suspect responsible for the attack.
