Two Arrested After Argument Leads To Shooting: Nassau Police

Two men were arrested early Tuesday morning after police say that an argument escalated to shooting, with shotgun pellets striking a neighbor's house.

According to police, two men got into an argument at a home on Lena Avenue in Freeport around 1:45 a.m. Police said that one of the men, Melquawn Abernathy, 25, of Sharon Lane, Westbury, kicked in the front door of the home in an attempt to get in.

The homeowner, Justise Jones, 37, got a shotgun and fired one round at Abernathy. The pellets struck the ground and ricocheted, hitting the house across the street. A family was in the home at the time, including two children, police say. No one was injured.

Police responded and placed both men under arrest without incident. Police say that when he was approached, officers saw Abernathy throw a clear plastic bag containing marijuana onto the floor.

Abernathy is charged with second-degree criminal trespassing and criminal possession of marijuana. Jones is charged with first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. They are both set to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday.

Melquawn Abernathy, left, and Justise Jones. Photos courtesy Nassau County Police Department.