Man Shot Housemate In Bay Shore Basement, Fled State, Found Guilty: DA

BAY SHORE, NY — A Salvadoran man was found guilty of murder after prosecutors said he fatally shot his housemate inside a Bay Shore home last year, then fled New York in an attempt to avoid prosecution, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Darwin Josue Maldonado Vanegas, 32, was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder, DA said, as well as second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, DA said, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, DA said, following a jury trial in Suffolk County.

Maldonado Vanegas faces up to 32 years to life in prison and is due back in court for sentencing on April 16, the DA said.

According to prosecutors, Suffolk County police responded to a Bay Shore home on April 3, 2025, at about 11:20 p.m., where officers found 24-year-old Daniel Nunez-Hernandez dead inside the residence.

Police determined the victim had suffered gunshot wounds to his chest and arm, and investigators recovered two 9mm shell casings near his body, the DA said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutors said Maldonado Vanegas and the victim were renting separate rooms in the same house.

Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots coming from the basement earlier that morning, the DA said. Later that day, other tenants returned home from work, found the victim’s body on a couch in the basement, and called the police.

During the investigation, authorities determined Maldonado Vanegas had been at the house around the same time the gunshots were heard, the DA said.

Investigators also recovered a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition between the mattress and box spring of Maldonado Vanegas’ bed, DA said.

After the killing, Maldonado Vanegas left New York and withdrew a substantial amount of U.S. currency from his bank account, DA said.

Authorities said he later traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he stopped using his cellphone and obtained a second phone before continuing to Miami, Florida.

Maldonado Vanegas was arrested on May 7, 2025, in Miami by members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad and the City of Miami Police Department, DA said.

He is represented by Donald Rollock, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Today, a Suffolk County jury returned a guilty verdict against this defendant for murdering Mr. Nunez-Hernandez and then fleeing the state in an attempt to avoid responsibility,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said. “Today’s decision affirms that violence in our community will be met with firm and determined prosecution.”