Man accused of shooting Suffolk County officer in face, killing another man, due in court on Friday
The man accused of shooting a Suffolk County police officer in the face while he executed a search warrant during a homicide investigation is due in court on Friday.
Nieves Reyes, 48, is under arrest and accused of killing the victim and shooting the police officer.
Police say it all started when Eugene Allen, 66, was found in the brush on the south side of New York Avenue at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday by two neighbors returning home from work.
Allen appeared to have been killed in the street and moved into the woods.
According to police, the suspect and the victim were both mechanics and officials believe the murder stems from an ongoing dispute.
Surveillance footage helped officials find the suspect, but after attempting to execute a search warrant around 2 a.m., officials say Reyes fired off several shots from inside - hitting the officer as well as police vehicles.
At least seven shots were fired from the home, striking the 33-year-old officer, who is also a Navy veteran.
The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He underwent surgery to his cheek and is expected to recover.
"We are very fortunate today, getting shot in the face is a very lethal type area to be shot, this officer's wound was literally a half inch away from his eye, it was up on his cheek," said Dr. James Vosswinkel with Stony Brook University Hospital.
Officials said the officer's wife and three children were at his bedside as he recovers.
"If he turned his face in either direction, we'd have a completely different situation," County Executive Ed Romaine said.
Suffolk County officers did not return fire.
"They did an amazing job, they didn't fire back just to fire back," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. "They conducted a very safe operation and ultimately were successful."
The Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Lou Civello has released a statement saying:
"Today, a bullet almost claimed the life of a Suffolk County Police Officer. Every single day, police officers put on the uniform knowing that danger can come without warning. They run toward what most people run from. Because of this officer's bravery - and the courage of those around him - a killer is now off Suffolk's streets. The irony of the Governor visiting Long Island yesterday to say crime is down, only for a Suffolk County cop to be shot today, is not lost on us. While we appreciate her commitment to providing funding and resources to law enforcement, what we really need are tougher laws. Laws that give officers and our justice system the tools to more effectively address mental illness and violent criminal behavior before more lives are put at risk. We stand with our injured brother officer, and we extend our full support to him and his family as he recovers."
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