3 teens, all alleged gang members, now charged in shooting at Bellport LIRR station, DA says
Two people were shot at the Bellport LIRR station early on Oct. 9. Credit: Joseph Sperber
Three teenagers who are alleged Crips gang members now are charged with attempted murder in connection with last month's shooting at the Bellport train station of a man they believed was a rival gang member, prosecutors said on Thursday.
The Oct. 9 early morning shooting also left an innocent bystander injured, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement.
Jahmez Cureton, 19, of Wyandanch, who allegedly fired the shots, was indicted on second-degree attempted murder and other charges, Tierney said. Charged with the same crime and others were his co-defendant, Javar Baskerville, 18, of Huntington, and a 17-year-old accomplice who was not named because of his age.
"As alleged, these defendants displayed a complete disregard for human life when they targeted a perceived rival and opened fire on a public train platform, striking two people," Tierney said. "My office will not tolerate gang violence in Suffolk County."
The three teenagers and an associate had boarded an eastbound Long Island Rail Road train at the Jamaica station around 1:05 a.m., authorities said. While riding the train, they "allegedly saw a rival gang member onboard and proceeded to put on masks and gloves," Tierney said. "They stood by the exit door of the train to see where the perceived rival would disembark."
When the train arrived in Bellport about 2:25 a.m., the group got off, walking along the platform and down an exit ramp, he said.
"When the perceived rival exited at the same stop, Cureton allegedly reached for his firearm, turned around and ran back in the direction of the train platform," Tierney said. "As alleged, Cureton then pointed and discharged his firearm in the direction of the rival."
The bullet hit the man, entering and exiting his right shoulder, Tierney said. The bullet also struck a passenger in the right shoulder.
Both victims were treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries and discharged.
Cureton was arrested on Oct. 13 at the Deer Park LIRR station. Authorities "recovered a gray/blue camouflage mask allegedly worn by the defendant during the shooting," Tierney said.
Cureton was arraigned Thursday before Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski, who ordered him held without bail. He is due back in court on Dec. 10 and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
His attorney, Pete Mayer, could not be reached immediately.
Baskerville was arrested on Oct. 28 outside of a residence in Bellport. District Court Judge Evan Zuckerman ordered him held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2.5 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on Nov. 25 and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
He is represented by the Legal Aid Society, which does not comment.
The 17-year-old was arrested on Oct. 29 at Stony Brook University Hospital after receiving treatment for injuries allegedly sustained in a separate gang-related shooting, Tierney said.
District Court Judge John B. Zollo ordered him held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2.5 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on Nov. 20 and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
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