15-Year-Old Shot To Death In Central Islip Woods

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - A 15-year-old boy was shot to death in a wooded area in Central Islip early Wednesday, police said.

According to Suffolk Police, Third Precinct police officers responded to 142 East Suffolk Ave. at about 3:45 a.m. after a 911 caller reported shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered the teen with gunshot wounds.

The 15-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene located across the street from the Central Islip Long Island Rail Road station.

Detectives determined the teen was in the woods with three other teens when they were approached by two males who fired shots, police said.

The Central Islip area has been a hotbed for MS-13 activity in the past, but police said they are still investigating whether Wednesday's shooting was gang-related.

"There's elements that it could be targeted," Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer said, according to an ABC 7 report. "Being in the woods, we are investigating it as gang-related, although we cannot confirm that, but it certainly seems to be a gang-related case."

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.