Multiple Shots Fired From North Massapequa Basement Apt.: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A North Massapequa man was arraigned on Tuesday for firing dozens of shots from his basement apartment, striking two homes, prosecutors announced.

A search warrant later recovered more than a dozen firearms, including assault weapons, high-capacity magazines and more than a pound of cocaine, the Office of Nassau County D.A. Anne Donnelly said.

Steven Frigand, 58, was indicted on charges that include first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, six counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and 53 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

"This defendant allegedly indiscriminately sprayed gunfire from his basement apartment, terrorizing his North Massapequa neighborhood, striking homes and narrowly missing a sleeping child," said DA Donnelly. "A search warrant revealed a dangerous cache of firearms in the home, including assault weapons, as well as more than half a kilogram of cocaine. No resident should ever have to fear gunfire erupting in their neighborhood or piercing the walls of their home."

On the afternoon of Aug. 20, Frigand allegedly fired dozens of shots from the basement apartment on Sussex Avenue. According to Donnelly, several shots hit a house, and many others tore through a fence and hit a different house next door.

Two of the bullets entered the home next door, one of which narrowly missed a child asleep in his bed and the homeowner who had gone to check on the child.

When police arrived at the scene, Frigand was in the basement and allegedly refused to come out for more than an hour despite police orders.

Frigand pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $2 million cash, $4 million bond, and $20 million partially secured bond. If convicted, Frigand faces up to 20 years in prison, Donnelly said.