Suffolk
police say an argument inside a black Mercedes led to the shooting outside a
Center Moriches supermarket on Sunday afternoon.
According
to acting Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron, four individuals were
inside the vehicle that pulled into the parking lot at 4:05 p.m. When they
stepped out of the vehicle at Lidl supermarket, the argument between two
passengers, who were not named, escalated – and they shot each other.
One of
the individuals who was shot got back into the Mercedes and pulled out on to
Montauk Highway where he hit a guardrail and overturned. A responding Suffolk
officer provided medical assistance to that person. Cameron says a handgun was
recovered from the vehicle. That person was charged with criminal possession of
a weapon.
The
other wounded person, who was not named, was found on the ground in the parking
lot. He is in critical condition and has not yet been charged with a crime.
The
two others who were in the Mercedes fled the scene. Cameron says witnesses at
the scene provided descriptions of the men to officers, who then set up a
perimeter. After receiving calls about suspicious activity in a nearby
neighborhood, the two men were apprehended. K-9 teams were also able to track
down two firearms that Cameron says belonged to the two.
Nigel
Copeland, 20, of Middle Island, and L'Andre Simmons, 21, of Wyandanch, were
each charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Simmons was also charged
with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The
incident follows
two other shootings late Saturday night and early Sunday
morning in Suffolk County. A man was killed in West Babylon. Another man was
killed in Amityville.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced during a news conference Monday that the county is partnering with Crime Stoppers to award $500 fast cash to those who provide tips that lead to a gun seizure or arrest. The number is 1-800-220-TIPS.